Everyone in my family worked so I could study. Now it's my turn to work for them.
Arif joined the programme as a primary pupil in a Dhaka slum. With a scholarship and mentoring he completed secondary school and went on to university.
Our students
Every student, all the way.
We don't offer temporary help. We stay with each student from their first classroom to university and a first job, until they can stand on their own and lift their families with them.
120
Students supported today
25
University graduates so far
4
Countries where our students study
£1,500
Average cost to support one student for a year
The scholarship model
Four stages, one student at a time.
Poverty breaks education at predictable points: fees, family emergencies, the jump to university, the first job. We fund each one.
School
Fees, books, uniforms and meals for children from Dhaka's poorest neighbourhoods.
Stay in school
Short-term help with food and housing when a family crisis would otherwise pull a child out of class.
University
Scholarships, English tuition and mentoring through to graduation, in Bangladesh and abroad.
First job
Internships with partner companies, so graduates can begin careers and support their families.
Where they study
From Dhaka to the world's universities.
Scotland
University scholarships
Portugal
Maria's home country
Malaysia
University scholarships
Australia
University scholarships
Student stories
The strongest proof is the students themselves.
Shared with each student's and family's consent.
Arif Hasan
Anisha Akter
My parents never went to school. Now I am studying for a degree, and my little sister wants to follow me.
Anisha's family nearly took her out of school when her father fell ill. Family support kept her in class; a scholarship took her to university.
Shima
Story to come, with Shima's permission.
Biplob
Story to come, with Biplob's permission.
Graduation day
Five full scholarships from a single talk.
After Maria spoke at a GEMS Education graduation, five of her students received full scholarships. That is the model: Maria's story opens doors, and students walk through them.
Make a talk fund a student
On the ground
Our team in Dhaka.
Our operating centre in Dhaka works with students and families every day: following up attendance, paying fees directly to schools and universities, and stepping in when a family is in crisis.
Programme Lead
Name to come
Student Mentor
Name to come
Family Support
Name to come
Finance & Admin
Name to come
Where it began · 2005 to 2013
Our first projects.
Before the scholarship programme, the foundation ran community projects in the Dhaka slum where Maria made her promise. The original school closed in 2013 as the work shifted to scholarships, the model that gives students the longest reach.
The first school
A school for children of the slum, with uniforms sewn by their mothers.
The clinic
Dental treatment, medical checks and vaccinations for the community.
Sewing school
Mothers learned to sew, repair clothing and make school uniforms.
Pre-school
Early learning and creative play to prepare young children for school.
Renovations
Homes, paths, water supply and waste disposal improved with residents.
Clean Bangladesh
Children led the clean-up of their streets, and kept them clean.
Fund the next school year.
Fees come due every year. A monthly gift means no student has to wait for the next climb.