HPUMC Scholarships Are Changing Lives Through Africa University

Living in Dallas, or even the United States as a whole, can make it feel like opportunities are everywhere, but that is not always the case around the world.

One especially challenging place is Africa, where HPUMC provides scholarships for students to attend Africa University in Zimbabwe. There are eight students currently attending AU thanks to these scholarships.

These scholarships truly transform the lives of these students and provide opportunities that wouldn’t be possible otherwise.

“When I found out I received the scholarship, I felt an overwhelming sense of joy, relief, and excitement,” International Relations major Dotto Francis Roche said. “It was a moment of validation for all the hard work I had put into my studies and a turning point that opened new doors for my future. I celebrated this achievement knowing that it marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life and going to study outside the country, which is like a dream in my family.”

The scholarship doesn’t just provide a chance to study and further their education. It is a life-altering chance to see different parts of their continent and experience different cultures and people.

Those are things they can take with them after graduating, too.

“Attending Africa University is a huge opportunity,” International Relations major Laurent Ntambwe Kyomba said. “It’s a place where leaders are made, and where you can share and learn from other students from different countries, learning about their backgrounds, culture, and also build networks and friendships. I was honoured to be part of this huge family at Africa University.”

Gaining an education isn’t just checking off a box for these students as the next step in their life journey. It completely changes what is possible for them in the future.

“My time at Africa University has been absolutely life-changing,” Mikombe Ketsia Kasongo said. “Faculty members are kind and informed, and the academic atmosphere is stimulating. Engaging with students from a variety of backgrounds has given me the chance to widen my perspective and build worthwhile relationships. There are a lot of extracurricular activities on campus that appeal to a wide range of interests. I have taken several different classes as a Health Services Management student, which have given me the information and abilities I need to have a significant influence in the healthcare industry.”

They aren’t the only ones who are changed, either. There is a trickle-down effect. These students gain an education and begin careers that can improve and uplift their hometowns and communities.

There are 34 bachelor degree programs, 22 masters programs, four doctorate programs, and more that students can study at Africa University. All of them enable the students to make life better for those around them.

“I aspire to be a Social Justice Advocate after completing my degree to help my community and beyond the African continent on matters to do with human rights and racial justice,” International Relations major Joseph Mahende said.

Etienne Panda Kazadi is from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the second-largest country in Africa and the 11th-largest country in the world in terms of landmass which contains a wealth of unearthed natural resources. Kazadi knows that the development of these resources could be of great benefit for the citizens of the DRC.

That’s his goal after graduating.

“My country is one of the richest countries in Africa in terms of natural resources,” Kazadi, an Agriculture and Natural Resources major, said. “So after my degree at Africa University, I will pursue my Masters studies to make sure that I have all the abilities that I need to be able to participate in the development of my country in particular and Africa in general.”

For many, this opportunity could be out of reach. That’s where HPUMC Impact Ministries comes in. There are students who have the desire to go and have the academic requirements, but might not have the means to do so.

In the 33 year partnership between HPUMC and AU, more than 20 students have been supported and encouraged to meet their educational goals and pay it forward.

“Africa University is more than an institution—it is a community that fosters growth, leadership, and service,” Pambi Yusuf Jatutu, who is in the final year of earning his PhD in Peace, Leadership and Governance, said. “I am deeply grateful for the HPUMC scholarship, which has made this transformative experience possible. The friendships, mentorship, and knowledge I have gained here will undoubtedly shape my career and contribute to my lifelong mission of promoting peace and good governance in Africa and beyond.”

Now they are able to get their education, build themselves up, and then build up others around them.

These scholarships completely change the life trajectory of these students and, undoubtedly, the lives of people from their community, country, Africa, and the world.

“Going to Africa University is an important step in my education and personal life. It gives me a chance to be part of a diverse community that values good learning and helping others,” Business Management major Tambwe Bulabula Victoire said. “... This experience has opened my eyes to new possibilities. I now see a future where I can help make the world better, not just focus on my own success. The skills and connections I’m building here inspire me to aim high and choose a career that helps others.”