Students and graduates are at heart of The Soko Fund's work.
"Thanks be to God for the great job Soko is doing" |
"I can not thank Soko Fund enough for helping, not just me, but my family and country" |
"The Soko Fund shows that you believe in the power of education to better both Malawi and us as individuals" |
The Soko Fund supports women from disadvantaged backgrounds in Malawi to study vocational degrees at the University of Malawi, Mzuzu University, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources and Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST).
Each Soko Scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and a small allowance for accommodation and/or study materials. Awards are made on the basis of proven need and academic potential. They are reviewed annually and renewal is guaranteed for students who have completed the year successfully in accordance with published criteria.
The number of awards is determined by the amount of money available in any given year, together with estimates of future income. This involves careful planning due to exchange rate fluctuations, which can be significant, and unpredictable annual increases to university fees. It is Soko's policy that scholarship holders who complete each year successfully will be supported up until graduation.
Each Soko Scholarship covers the full cost of tuition and a small allowance for accommodation and/or study materials. Awards are made on the basis of proven need and academic potential. They are reviewed annually and renewal is guaranteed for students who have completed the year successfully in accordance with published criteria.
The number of awards is determined by the amount of money available in any given year, together with estimates of future income. This involves careful planning due to exchange rate fluctuations, which can be significant, and unpredictable annual increases to university fees. It is Soko's policy that scholarship holders who complete each year successfully will be supported up until graduation.
Soko's first two scholarships were awarded in 2004. Since then, the number of students being supported has increased each year. In 2019, we will be supporting over 60 women to access university education. Most scholarships are for four-year degrees, and for many, a Soko Fund Scholarship has been critical to completing their degree. Since being founded in 2004, there are now almost 200 Soko graduates.
One of the requirements for a scholarship is that students are studying a vocational subject (broadly interpreted). As a result, many graduates are now successfully employed in education, health, commerce and agriculture, contributing valuable knowledge, skills and expertise to Malawi's society and economy.
Unfortunately, even with a degree, women in Malawi can face major challenges in securing employment beyond graduation. This is why we created the Soko Graduate Association (SGA). Managed by Soko graduate Winnie Mkandawire, SGA provides a peer support network, access to internships, skill-building workshops and information on job opportunities through SGA's online job centre.
One of the requirements for a scholarship is that students are studying a vocational subject (broadly interpreted). As a result, many graduates are now successfully employed in education, health, commerce and agriculture, contributing valuable knowledge, skills and expertise to Malawi's society and economy.
Unfortunately, even with a degree, women in Malawi can face major challenges in securing employment beyond graduation. This is why we created the Soko Graduate Association (SGA). Managed by Soko graduate Winnie Mkandawire, SGA provides a peer support network, access to internships, skill-building workshops and information on job opportunities through SGA's online job centre.
