
Empowering Students in the U.S:
In addition to supporting children and families in Kenya, we believe it’s important to serve our community in the U.S. as well. The cost of college tuition can be a difficult barrier for many in the U.S. to overcome. At Wana Duma, we believe that motivated students who value education should have the opportunity to attend university, regardless of their financial situation.
To remove that barrier, we started our U.S. college scholarship program for deserving students in the Stanwood-Camano, Washington school district. We strive to empower and inspire the next generation of leaders and advocates for social change and development.



Our Actions:
Our U.S. scholarship program is managed and funded separately from our work in Kenya, yet the purpose remains the same – to remove barriers to education. The scholarship applications are managed by SCAF and we carefully select applicants based on our mission statement.
The scholarships alleviate financial burdens for students who may not have otherwise been able to attend college. They allow the young adults to focus on their studies and ambitions.
As higher education becomes more important than ever to succeed and make change, this financial aid is vital for many students to reach their full potential.

The Outcomes:
The Economic Policy Institute estimates that there is now a 60% difference in pay between high school graduates and those who receive a bachelor’s degree. Simply put, college grads earn more. They’re also significantly more likely to love their job. Education is not only key to financial security but the health of individuals and communities at large.
In 2019, Wana Duma U.S. provided 30 scholarships to high school seniors. Since our program’s onset, we’ve supported over 100 students with university scholarships and plan to empower many more. These opportunities have been made possible by our generous donors and supporters in Washington and beyond.