Testimonials

Arise is an important player in the infrastructure space in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is good to see that Arise realizes the importance of supporting the communities where it operates and is setting up a foundation to materialize its commitment to African local communities.

One way to support local communities is to sponsor educational programs that in turn will provide the skill labor needed for the African private sector to operate and compete internationally.

Access to primary education attracts attention nowadays. While access to primary education for all is critical for Africa’s future, it is also key for our continent to encourage excellence and therefore support the education of elite students that will constitute the leaders of tomorrow.

Yale University’s management team, under the leadership of its President, is working on contributing to educating the African Leaders of tomorrow—innovative, collaborative thinkers who are committed to advancing the continent’s future. It is in this context that Yale, in addition to its selective Yale Young Global Scholars (“YYGS”) program, set up the Yale Young African Scholars program (“YYAS”). This last program takes place annually at sites across Africa. YYAS is tuition-free, and recruitment is focused on high-achieving, low-income students. Alumni from the program continue receiving mentoring while they apply to universities.

I am fully in line with Yale’s approach to support access to high-achieving, low-income African students. In addition, as admission statistics show that young talented Africans from francophone countries are underrepresented in these programs, it seems important to stimulate the reversal of this trend.

It is in this context, and understanding the values promoted by Arise in Africa, that I approached the Arise Foundation at its infant stage to request its support to (i) the YYAS program as well as (2) the admission of young African to the YYGS program.

I was glad to notice the instant interest from the Arise Foundation on such an initiative and I am pleased that the Arise Foundation has committed to contribute to a minimum of $50,000 to the Yale Fund for Francophone Africa at YYGS and YYAS. The Arise Foundation has also agreed, over the next few years, to continue to assess a potential increase in its current commitment for this important program.

Beyond this contribution, I sincerely hope that Arise would be able to hire or host as interns alumni from the YYGS and YYAS programs.

On behalf of all the actors of the EPP Adetikope Centrale, on behalf of the management and on my own behalf, I would like to say a sincere thank you to ARISE Foundation for the metamorphosis of our school. Thanks to ARISE Foundation, our school has been given a makeover with two new buildings, one of which is upstairs with built-in toilets and a gigantic fence that surrounds our entire school. Thanks to ARISE Foundation we work even when it rains. Many thanks ARISE Foundation. Akpe Kaka Elabalè, God bless you every time.

Thanks to ARISE Foundation we have a beautiful school and we study well. Thank you, ARISE Foundation.