LIFT HER UP
The Lift Her Up ministry empowers female students at Africa University by raising money to provide scholarships so that women living in a refugee camp who have been accepted to the Pan-African United Methodist institution will have the resources to enroll at AU. Through the generosity of pastors, congregations, and faith communities the East Ohio Conference can sponsor the education of nine students who began classes at Africa University in 2024 and 2025.
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Kinyanga Consolate Dacosta is a medical laboratory sciences student in the College of Health, Agriculture and Natural Sciences. She began her studies at Africa University in the 2024-2025 academic year. “Getting an education is the only way for me to realize my goals and dreams, but as a refugee in the Tongogara Refugee Camp I was unable to pay for my university education. Thank you for your support to enroll in the degree program in medical laboratory sciences at Africa University because I want to contribute to making sure that medications and chemicals are used as intended. I also want to be able to identify illnesses and the medications that might be used to treat them. I believe I will be able to change and improve the world. I will dedicate myself to a lifelong learning process and have an open heart after completing my studies at Africa University.” |
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Loise Phillis is a public administration & management major in the College of Business, Peace, Leadership and Governance. She began her studies at Africa University in the 2024-2025 academic year. “I am a refugee in the Tongogara Refugee Camp. I am thrilled to have been admitted to the College of Business, Peace, Leadership and Governance at Africa University. I selected Africa University because of its reputation for academic excellence and its commitment to fostering leadership skills. I believe that studying at Africa University will equip me with the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute positively to my community and the broader society.” |
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Russi Ishimwe is a social work student in the College of Social Services, Humanities, Theology and Education. She began her studies at Africa University in the 2024-2025 academic year. “I am of Burundian-Rwandan heritage. My father is Burundian and my mother, Rwandan. During the 1972 Burundi genocide, my father's parents fled to Rwanda as refugees. My father grew up in Rwanda and met my mother while living there. However, due to the Rwandan genocide, my parents fled Rwanda in 1994. I was born in the Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi in 2003. As our journey to find refuge continued, my family moved to the Tongogara Refugee Camp in Zimbabwe. “My parents never had the opportunity to go to school, but they deeply value education. My father taught me to take learning seriously as it is the key to unlocking opportunities. Growing up in refugee camps, I remained committed to pursuing education despite the limitations and lack of resources. I love AU’s emphasis on community-based practice, social justice, and empowerment, all of which resonates with my passion for supporting vulnerable populations.” |
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Esther Augustine Manase |
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Darlene Gwaneza |
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Lofe Samuela Mbala |
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Huguette Uwanzinza |
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Francine Vumiliya |
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Nissi Zaina Kabeya |
The East Ohio Conference Office:
located in North Canton, OH,
near Akron-Canton Airport.
Address:
8800 Cleveland Ave. NW
North Canton, OH 44720
Phone:
(330) 499-3972
Office Hours:
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.