You Did It—$135,000 raised to keep girls in school across East Africa.
Your generosity funds a vital share of the scholarships and wraparound support nearly 300 young women in extreme poverty need to stay in school across South Sudan, and in the refugee camps of Uganda, and Kenya.
Seida is entering her third year at St. Bakhita Girls’ Secondary School in Narus, South Sudan—a milestone that was once far from certain.
When her family struggled to keep three children in school, an MBB scholarship allowed Seida to continue her education. Through case management, leadership training and assistance with basic health needs—she has remained healthy, focused and among the top students in her class.
Now an emerging student leader, Seida dreams of becoming a doctor and serving her community.
Thanks to you, Seida and nearly 300 Scholars across East Africa will return to school this next year, moving toward graduation.
School starts soon for Seida
What does it take for a girl to stay in school?
A scholarship gets a girl into school.
But for girls living in extreme poverty in places like South Sudan, school fees are just one of many barriers standing in the way of an education.
When a family experiences a medical emergency, food insecurity, or domestic conflict, a girl's education is the first thing at risk.
That's why in addition to scholarships, Mercy Beyond Borders provides counseling, tutoring, leadership development, career planning, emergency assistance, and home visits. These supports enable girls to stay in school and thrive.
A scholarship gets a girl into school. With wrap-around support she graduates!
Meet Juliana, an MBB high school Scholar in South Sudan
When Juliana's older sister fled a forced marriage to an elderly man, conflict within the family escalated. Juliana's education came to a halt.
Their mother was blamed for helping her sister escape. Their father, furious, expelled their mother from the village and remarried.
The step-mother's children continued their education, but Juliana and her siblings were not allowed to return to school. They spent her days gathering firewood and water, preparing meals, washing uniforms, and caring for younger children. Food was often scarce.
"Sometimes we ourselves did not eat," she shared. "Unless we fetched water that day, they wouldn’t give us anything to eat."
Juliana's story highlights that for girls living in extreme poverty, school fees are often only one of many barriers to education. Returning to school was only the first step. After years of family conflict, interrupted schooling, and being made to feel that her education—and her future—didn’t matter, Juliana also needed opportunities to heal, rebuild her confidence, develop practical skills, and discover what she was capable of becoming.
That’s why Mercy Beyond Borders provides more than scholarships. Through leadership development, life-skills training, counseling, tutoring, home visits, and other wrap-around support, Juliana and hundreds of her peers are learning and thriving.
Today, Juliana is preparing for her final year of high school. Her dream? She sees herself as a teacher who will create greater educational opportunities for village girls in her community.
A Look at the Numbers
Mercy Beyond Borders’ graduation rates show the success of our model:
72%: MBB Scholar High School Graduation rate
Compared to 13% national averages for girls in Uganda and 3% in South Sudan.
97%: MBB Scholar University graduation rate
Compared to 17% national averages for girls in Uganda. South Sudan has no national stats but rates are certainly very low.
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346
female high school graduates from South Sudan
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109
female university graduates from South Sudan
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246
young women currently attending high schools and universities across East Africa (& hundreds more in Haiti & Malawi)
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