Rose Ifebigh Memorial Scholarship

My name is Onyinyechi Vanessa Ezenta, and I am a proud Igbo woman from Nigeria. I was born and raised in a close-knit family from southeastern Nigeria, where I learned the values of resilience, faith, and community. As the middle child in a family of five, I often found myself in a role of both support and leadership, helping my younger siblings while also learning from the strengths of my parents and older siblings. I’m currently pursuing my Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Georgia State University, after graduating with highest honors from Perimeter College with an associate degree in Health Sciences. My long-term goal is to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and eventually return to Nigeria to establish a mental health institute focused on children with neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly Down syndrome—a condition I relate to on a personal level through family experience. I’m passionate about public health, mental wellness, and supporting underserved communities—values shaped by my Igbo heritage and by my experience navigating healthcare systems in both Nigeria and the United States. Since arriving in the United States in 2023 as an international student, my life has changed tremendously. The transition has come with a mix of challenges and growth adjusting to a new academic system; balancing immigration-related responsibilities, such as maintaining my F-1 visa status by ensuring full-time enrollment and timely SEVIS compliance alongside academic and personal life has been a challenge and being far from family have tested me in ways I could not have anticipated. But I’ve also discovered how determined and resourceful I am. I’ve built strong academic habits and found ways to nurture community with fellow international students, many of whom share similar cultural backgrounds and challenges adapting to life in the U.S, and created moments of joy and connection even in unfamiliar environments. One experience that stands out was when I volunteered to organize a welcome session for new international students at my university. I noticed how isolating it felt arriving in a new country without familiar faces or guidance, so I collaborated with a few classmates to create a small support group. We held casual meetups where students could talk openly about their adjustment struggles, exchange tips on navigating campus life, and share pieces of their culture. It was inspiring to see people from different countries open up, support one another, and build friendships. Being part of something that fostered a sense of belonging for others reminded me how small acts of leadership can make a lasting difference. Being an immigrant student in the U.S. comes with significant financial burdens. We are ineligible for federal aid, and the costs of tuition, especially during the summer, can be overwhelming. The Rose Ifebigh Scholarship would directly support my ability to afford summer courses and stay on track with my academic goals. It would ease the pressure on my family, allowing me to focus more fully on my education and growth. I’ve learned that my voice, culture, and perseverance are strengths. I’ve also come to understand that each step I take is not only for myself, but for my younger siblings in Nigeria who see education and opportunity as distant dreams. Support like this reminds me that even in a foreign country, there are people and institutions willing to invest in my dreams. This journey has not been easy, but it has shaped me into a more resilient, empathetic, and community-focused individual, values that I intend to carry with me throughout my nursing career.

Empowering Women through Social Work As a minority refugee, my path has been marked by perseverance, optimism, and an unshakable belief in the potential of education for achieving advancement. Growing up, I encountered prejudice based on my ethnicity and gender, and I frequently felt invisible in my own community. These experiences of marginalization, however, spurred my resolve to overcome obstacles and motivated my devotion to advocating for others who face similar challenges. Today, as I pursue a profession in clinical social work, my aim is clear: to encourage women and children to succeed in the face of adversity. My refugee identification has provided me with a unique perspective on the issues that displaced people experience. I have firsthand contact with prejudice, the anguish of abandoning one's home, and the challenges of navigating foreign institutions and cultures. These events honed my empathy and enhanced my desire to be a voice for the voiceless. I am especially devoted to helping women and children who are disproportionately impacted by poverty, violence, and structural imbalances. As a clinical social worker, I strive to provide safe places in which people may recover, rebuild their lives, and reach their full potential. Education has always been my light of hope. Despite structural impediments, I have persisted intellectually, believing that knowledge is a powerful weapon for change. By succeeding in my studies, I want to develop the skills and competence required to deliver evidence-based treatments and culturally competent care. My academic experience has also been enhanced by my engagement in community service, where I have collaborated with women's shelters and refugee assistance groups. These experiences have increased my knowledge of the difficulties that disadvantaged populations confront and strengthened my dedication to developing long-term solutions. My mission as a social worker is beyond individual care. I wish to address structural challenges that contribute to inequality by lobbying for policies that promote gender equality and social justice. For example, I want to create programs that give education, mental health services, and economic possibilities to women and children in underprivileged neighborhoods. By encouraging cooperation among community groups, lawmakers, and social workers, I think we can build conditions in which women and children thrive rather than just survive. This grant provides an essential chance to improve my knowledge and increase my influence. The grant will enable me to concentrate on my studies and fieldwork, allowing me to obtain the skills needed to successfully serve others. More importantly, it will reinforce my commitment to using my voice and abilities to support women and children, thereby breaking cycles of oppression and creating opportunities for empowerment. My story has been one of the transformations from refugees facing prejudice to a steadfast champion for progress. With the help of this scholarship, I will continue to convert obstacles into possibilities, ensuring that no woman or kid goes unnoticed or ignored. Together, we can build a society in which every person, regardless of background, has the chance to live with dignity and hope.

My name is Ore. I’m a 19-year-old International student from Nigeria majoring in Economics and Data Analytics with a minor in Finance. My interests include reading, basketball, violin, music, running, movies, etc. I believe pursuing as many of your interests as possible gives you a full life. I have been in the US since January 2023, and haven’t seen any of my family members since then. Getting my visa approved seemed like a ‘freak miracle’; because it happened out of nowhere. When I decided to leave Nigeria, I had been at the University of Lagos for 16 months but only completed one semester. There had been an 8-month-long strike by the academic staff union and another by the non-academic staff. The flow of education was being disrupted every year and students were losing interest in school. I had to leave. I took the SATs in secondary school, so, I started applying to schools abroad without telling anybody. It wasn’t until I got into about 5 schools that I made my parents aware. They were proud of me but reasonably concerned because we couldn’t afford it. I am the last child and only girl in my family. I guess they decided if they were going to pour all their resources into anyone, it might as well be me. My mother basically depleted her pension fund to pay for my first semester. I am currently looking into transferring to a cheaper university. Life as an international student has definitely been tough, especially in a predominantly white institution. It took a while before I found my people and I struggled a lot. I couldn’t discuss these struggles with my mum because she battles severe anxiety from time to time and I didn’t want her to be worried about me. I was met with various culture shocks and felt lost all the time. It took months before I got my health insurance sorted and I went sick without treatment many times. I would stand in front of my mirror and question if I even deserved to be there. I’m glad that out of those struggles, I grew and evolved into the person I am today. I have definitely surprised myself by how strong I am and the potential I have for community building. Last Thanksgiving, I hosted a lunch for 18 international students like me from universities in the area who had nowhere to go for the break. They were mostly freshmen who had come to America that summer. I cooked Nigerian meals and we sat on the floor of my dorm singing rhymes we all marched to in primary school. My most fulfilling experience of 2023, was creating a temporary home for people whose real homes are 8000 miles away. My decision to pursue a career in Economics is fueled by my dedication to understanding the complexities of global and local economic systems. I decided it was what I wanted to do on a random Tuesday when I was 9; my mum bought 1 loaf of bread instead of 2 because “dollar was rising.” I wanted to understand what that was all about. I grew up in a country, run by men who are experts in the game of politics but seem to know little about the economic world. From a young age, I understood already how that fractured my country. My life’s goal is to contribute positively to society by creating innovative solutions that address pressing economic challenges in underdeveloped and developing countries.

Faine Mutwarekazi's Journey: From Darkness to Illumination Faine Mutwarekazi, a name that signifies resilience and hope, has emerged as a beacon of light in the face of adversity. I was born in a refugee camp in Rwanda, a place where the struggle for basic necessities was a daily battle. My parents were immigrants from the Republic of Congo, they fled to Rwanda in the wake of constant conflicts and wars in their homeland. The darkness of their past did not deter them from dreaming of a brighter future for me and my brothers. Life in the refugee camp was harsh, with limited access to clean water, clothing, medicine, and often, the absence of dinner. My parents, despite their own hardships, a burning desire for me to have a life free from the shackles of poverty and conflict. Their beacon of hope was the United States, a land of opportunities where hard work could lead to success, and dreams could be realized. However, securing the chance to move to the United States was akin to winning a lottery, with thousands of families vying for a chance. I vividly remember the day my family’s fate changed. We were among the fortunate few chosen to relocate to the land of opportunity. It was a bittersweet moment for me, as it meant leaving behind family and friends I had known since birth. Adapting to a new country, especially when one does not speak the local language, is a daunting challenge. At the age of twelve, I found myself in the United States, brimming with excitement and high expectations for a new experience. However, reality proved to be different from my expectations. Language barriers left me feeling isolated, and I often contemplated changing schools to be around those who spoke my language, thinking it would expedite myEnglish language acquisition. In my time of struggle, a guiding light emerged. My teacher recommended a program at her church that aimed to help newcomers learn English. Along with my older brothers, I embraced this opportunity. The program not only accelerated our English language proficiency but also instilled in me a newfound motivation for learning. My eldest brother, Ushindi, was a shining example of determination and ambition. He aspired to earn a master's degree in nursing and urged me to seize every educational opportunity, as he knew the value of such chances. Tragically, Ushindi's life was cut short in a car accident at the age of 21. His untimely demise shook the family, but it steeled my resolve to honor his memory. In my pursuit of my own dreams and a future in medicine, I carry the torch of his aspirations. In memory of my late brother, I have plans to establish a nonprofit organization to assist refugee girls in the United States, enabling them to build better lives. I envision creating a scholarship fund in Ushindi's name to help refugees access education. I firmly believe in paying forward the opportunities I am given, a philosophy that aligns perfectly with my future aspirations. In conclusion, I am not just student seeking higher education; I am a symbol of resilience, determination, and the power of illumination in the face of darkness. My journey, fueled by the dreams of my parents and the memory of my late brother, is a testament to the trans-formative power of education and opportunity. Choosing me for the Rose Ifebigh Memorial Scholarship is not just an investment in my future; it is an investment in the countless lives I will touch through my dreams and actions. With gratitude and hope for a brighter future, Faine Mutwarekazi

My name is Stephanie, I am a Nigerian Igbo immigrant and have lived in the US for close to six years now. I am the middle child and I live with my mother and two brothers, with my dad currently "stuck" in Nigeria due to some issue with the immigration process. My hobbies include reading novels, crocheting, listening to music, and making bead jewelry. I am studying to become a doctor and am currently deciding between Gynecology and Psychology. Life as an immigrant has had its ups and downs. I have experienced both the difficulties of going through college without good financial endorsement, but I have also tried to allow myself experience the fun aspects of exploring and meeting new people. I am in my fourth year in community college due to the complicated process of immigrating as well as the pandemic, I do not qualify for any need-based scholarships and pay for college out of pocket. Although moving forward I am putting more effort into applying for scholarships as I am in the process for applying for schools to transfer to in the coming semester. One thing I have learned about myself since making the journey is how persistent I have been throughout the years. I think after spending so long in a community college with so little progress being made, I still choose to continue pursuing my education when I could be working full time, and using the money I on superficial things. Regarding my home country Nigeria, I already knew that there is a great improvement to be made in our education system but I have compared and learned about a specific section of the system that I think needs improvement regarding the use of the British curriculum. While in high school in Nigeria, I never disagreed with the things we were taught about slavery and colonization, but getting here and having more access to information, I recognize that a good amount of things we were taught about were incorrect and even quite insulting. One thing I have learned, still learning since moving here is that you cannot and should not live by other people’s standards. Immigrating to this country at the age that I did, I have been so easily influenced by outside sources i.e social media, aunties, among others and it took a toll on my self confidence. Having the confidence to do the most basic things is very essential living in this country because you never get informed if you don’t ask. I think one of my favorite things is seeing young children of immigrants talk and ask question no matter how ridiculous they might seem. Truthfully I’m not sure where my self confidence went because if you asked me I think I had that confidence as a young child, probably just on a different level. I’m learning that asking for things is one of the ways to gain access to things regardless of how ridiculous the questions might seem. And there’s really no shame in asking! I have always wanted to be a doctor or be in the medical field, moving here I have grown into my passion and found out the sectors that I am very passionate about. A major reason I want to become a gynecologist was because I learned about the rate at which women and children of color die or are neglected during the course of pregnancy, labor and sexual health in general. I want to be able to be a part of creating a system that invokes change in these types of statistics.