TRIBUNE
ENROLLING a child to study at medical school is no mean feat especially when it comes to the financial investment involved. The Olajuwon family however decided to brave it and send their daughter, Folasade to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan.
However, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, finances took a downturn for that family. Folasade, then a 200-level medical student, had to take up a job to stay in school. However, it was a two-year contract which came to an end in 2022. Folasade, determined not to drop out of medical school as a 400-level student took to selling zobo (a drink made from Hibiscus flowers), raising cash from tutorials and selling clothing accessories to fend for herself. But as the jobs were few and far between, she knew she needed help.
Collins grew up in a family that highly values education. His father made sure the children faced their academics squarely. Collins had become a medical student at the University of Ibadan, when his father, the breadwinner of the family, died in 2020. Collins’ mother had to secure a loan for him continue his studies. Unfortunately, things remained difficult and repaying the loan was a Herculean task. Collins began to make plans on how he would excuse himself from medical school for at least one year so that he could go and work to gather enough funds for him to return to school.
Fortunately, both Folasade and Collins did not have to drop out of medical school. They are among 32 medical students sponsored by Jesus House Baltimore under the Sponsor a Student Programme (SASP) of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI).
Last Friday, at Paul Hendrickse Hall located within the University College Hospital premises, Ibadan, an award ceremony for the Jesus House Baltimore Scholarships and Pre-launch of the Global Sponsor-A-Student Programme (G-SASP) Board was held. The event featured the appreciation of donors from Jesus House, Baltimore, led by Pastor Tola Odutola, scholarships awards to the Jesus House Baltimore Scholars for the 2023/2024 session, and the formal pre-launch and introduction of the Global Sponsor A Student Programme (G-SASP) Board, an extension of the SASP.
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