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Click here to hear a Thank you from Mahindra Teachers and Students

Congratulations to each and every one of you for contributing to the education of these INCREDIBLE girls.

We hope that this video is just another example of the impact your contribution is having on our community.

Please, will you encourage others to become involved by sharing with your colleagues?

" It's not just about me ... it's about my community and my family... it's about the impact I will have also one day ... I feel so inspired to work hard and be able to contribute to change someone's life one day"

Thank you Zamakhosi Magagula and Mitchelle Katemauswa if you see this message, we are very proud of you and delighted to have contributed to your education !

Dear Donor

I hope you are doing fine. I am fine too.

First of all, I thank you for your kindness and caring here. I appreciate. Thank you for trusting me and decide to invest your money in my life. I really don't know how to thank you for this opportunity you gave me but I am so grateful. This is the big opportunity for a person like me. I am so happy to be here, in a place that has everything I need at a moment; the place that challenge me; the place that millions of people dream to be. I never imagined in my life to be at a place like this, but now I am. You make my life possible here, I never lack anything. Thank you.

Waterford opened my eyes. In the beginning, I felt like I don't belong here as I doubted my capability but as time goes I have come to understand that I will always be at a place where I belong at a specific moment for a purpose, and it does not matter whether I know the purpose or not; it is not possible to be at a place where there is nothing about my life. To be honest, the whole first term I was so scared. I was asking myself what I am doing here. It was a tough term to me as I was just surprised at what was happening in my life. I lived like a “slave” as i was not free. But on term two, I started to believe in myself. I believed I can do this even though it's not easy. I did not do well in term one as well as in term two in my studies. The worst: I dropped from 5 in term one to 4 in chemistry in term two. I felt useless but later on I came to know that a successful person is a dreamer who doesn’t give up no matter what passes through. I believe I will do this. I won't let this opportunity pass on my hand for nothing. I hope I will do much better next time.

Apart from class, I am doing community service which is teaching children and just playing with them. I like it and I enjoy it. I am learning to play piano and guitar too. I take vocal training lesson as singing is in my blood. I like singing. I also play girls soccer. I like soccer and I enjoy it. It helps me get closer to my fellow colleagues.

I hope to experience a lot through CAS (Creativity, Activity and Services) during my life time here. More important, I believe I will perform well in my studies. That is what I believe.

I have got nothing much to tell you but I can just promise you one thing that "I WILL BRING SUCCESS FROM DISAPPOINTMENT".

Thank you for giving me this scholarship. I really appreciate it. I never met you and I don't even know your face but I love you and I wish you a long life full of health and happiness.

Getruda Jeremiah

Tanzania.

Name of student: Getruda Jeremiah

Country of origin: Tanzanian

Class in 2018: IB1

Getruda (19) comes from Tanzania, and graduated from Kikaro Secondary school in November of 2016. Getruda’s guardians are farmers and her coming to Waterford Kamhlaba has been made possible by Camfed; an international non-profit organization tackling poverty and inequality by supporting girls from marginalized backgrounds to go to school and succeed, and empowering young women to step up as leaders of change.

On her career goals, Getruda says, “I decided long ago that I want to become a medical doctor; specializing in women and children’s health and because of this, I work very hard in Physics, Chemistry and Biology. One day I want to have a counselling centre, focusing on women heath issues.”

In the main, Getruda is an exemplary student, and consistently demonstrates excellent leadership skills. She has previously served as an academic leader at her school – responsible for organizing debates, helping students through counselling and encouraging students to maintain good relationships

with teachers.

Getruda first heard about Waterford Kamhlaba through her teacher and she later read more about the school through internet. She says, “I believe Waterford will expose me to people from different backgrounds and nationalities as well as prepare me to be a highly skilled student with a strong sense of the importance of service and community.” In her spare time, Getruda loves singing and dancing to gospel music.

December 2016

We received an update from UWC Swaziland

October 2016

Andy Cockburn and Mary Newbigin have just returned from Ladakh, selecting 2017's recipient of the Staff Scholarship. We were thrilled when mid interviews Dr Padma, our very first recipient in 1998 knocked on the door. Dr Padma is now a gynaecologist in Ladakh and has had a very positive impact on the community.

Here's what she wanted to say to you, the teachers who contribute to this fund.

Our 2017 Scholar wanted to thank you for your support.

Sonam's September Update

My second year at MUWCI is full of enthusiasm and optimistic for my EE and IAs along with my studies. The first year at Mahindra taught me so much and even alter my beliefs and widen my opinions. By reflecting on the ups and downs of the previous year I can see the change in myself, its change a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.

I had a great quality time in Ladakh this year. I tried to spread the values, ideas and the knowledge that I gained from a UWC school. I worked in LAMDON for a month where I go to the classes and shared my experiences in UWC Mahindra and also tried to teach what I learn from here. After school I gave extra classes to the hostelers where I taught Mathematics and Science to them. I also tried to spread information about the INC (Indian National Committee) procedures for the admission to UWC both inside and outside LAMDON. I also went to some of the Government schools in and around my village, where I selected some students from 6th to 9th grades who are good at studies and told them about UWC and the opportunities. So that they could prepare from now. I personally met with some of their parents, most of them were poor and illiterate who had no idea about the future of their children. I want to continue this and one of my aim is to get at least one student in UWC through INC. People hardly knows about UWC and INC. From next year I want to work on this project more formally.

All this opportunities that I am getting is all because of you and UWCSEA. I am very thankful to you all and I always try my best to use this opportunity to the extreme fullest.

UWC Impact Stories – Refugee Crisis. A letter from Ruddy (UWC Waterford alumnus 2009-2012) — Sep 14, 2016 3:42:51 AM

Mitchelle's update — Aug 29, 2016 7:42:21 AM

Thabani Dube — Aug 29, 2016 7:40:33 AM

Tasji Yudon — Aug 28, 2016 8:44:17 AM

Linda starts at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver — Aug 28, 2016 6:21:11 AM

An update from Sisikelo — Aug 28, 2016 6:19:38 AM

Thabani Dube, and our latest Waterford Scholar Mitchelle Katemauswa. — Aug 28, 2016 5:55:17 AM

Stanzin Edgha Mahindra January 2016 — Aug 26, 2016 11:27:14 AM

Interested in donating? — Aug 26, 2016 11:24:08 AM

Linda Msibi April 2016 — Aug 26, 2016 11:12:09 AM

Thabani Dube Waterford 2015 — Aug 26, 2016 11:00:30 AM

Selecting a New Scholar — Aug 26, 2016 10:59:13 AM

Sonam Gurmet Mahindra 2015-17 — Aug 26, 2016 10:57:14 AM

Stanzin Edgha — Aug 18, 2014 1:21:18 PM

Letter from Linda Msibi at Waterford: June 2014 — Aug 17, 2014 11:27:35 PM

Letters from Waterford Students — Sep 26, 2013 6:55:33 AM

International Scholars Award Dinner — Sep 19, 2013 11:52:59 AM

Letter from new scholar Sisekelo — May 29, 2013 6:55:24 AM

Our most recent scholar! — May 3, 2013 11:17:53 PM

Waterford Celebrates 50 Years — May 3, 2013 11:16:12 PM

New scholars to be appointed in January 3013! — Dec 9, 2012 8:38:46 AM

A SPOTLIGHT ON MEDYLEAN

Medylean was perhaps the most dramatically affected, given she had only just started G11 when COVID closed the doors at UWC Waterford and she was forced to return home to Zimbabwe.

Medylean embodies the very concepts of grit and resilience. A bright girl who grew up in poverty-stricken rural Zimbabwe, Medylean had only patchy access to education as her parents struggled to pay school fees. Fuelled with steely determination and big dreams to carve out a better life for her family and community, she continued her study when she could access schooling, and independently when money ran out. Despite outstanding O-Levels she had to drop out to work as a maid for a year to help support the family.

Being selected for our UWCSEA Staff Scholarship to attend UWC Waterford was the opportunity she’d dreamed of. Yet within weeks of starting, the College closed due to the pandemic. Returning home to the isolated farm she struggled with online learning and connectivity issues and was forced to eventually move to Harare to stay with an uncle. The internet remained a challenge and cell data proved expensive but our Staff Fund was able to help with a phone and airtime. Medylean returned home again to care for her sick father, but he tragically passed away. Our thoughts are very much with her and the family.

Her determination to continue her studies and to carve out a better future is inspirational - and we send her all the love and support of our entire UWCSEA family here in Singapore.

"She has a positive attitude and is a determined student who has had to dig deep to keep herself motivated when things have been so difficult.” Mr Stephen Lowry, Principal