• SCHOLARSHIPS

WHAT IS IT?

PACE Scholarships helps children living in the squatter areas of Talisay and Calamba in Cebu, Philippines to go to school. With donations from the UWCSEA community, PACE provides annual scholarships for students and funds nutrition and literacy programmes for the scholars and their families. On occasion, the PACE Scholarships programme also funds emergency relief for scholar families affected by disasters.

PACE is currently supporting 44 scholars.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SCHOLARSHIPS

For those living in poverty, education provides a critical pathway to a better life. Even where free schooling is available, the associated costs such as transport, books, internet and uniforms, and the “missed income” involved in keeping a child in school can act as a barrier to achieving quality education. The PACE Scholarships programme aims to support the UWCSEA Mission by bringing education within reach of underprivileged children in South East Asia. 

Throughout our  23-year partnership with Lihuk Panaghiusa Inc., a non-profit and non-governmental organisation in the Philippines, PACE has sponsored scholarships for hundreds of children in Cebu, involved parents in service trips to build libraries and edible gardens and inspired UWCSEA students to volunteer their time through the Gap Year and Project Week initiatives.

As a result of our support:

  • 75% of Lihuk scholars continued to tertiary education vs the national average of 35%rs.
  • More than 200 Lihuk scholars are college graduates.
  • A further 160 scholars are high school graduates.
  • 225,000 – 250,000 hot meals have been prepared for scholars since 2010..$10,000 in emergency funds provided to Lihuk families after natural disasters.

The PACE Scholarships Programme has three components:

  • Scholar Sponsorships – Financial assistance for  Lihuk scholars to cover school-related expenses throughout their primary, secondary and college years.
  • Nutrition Programme – Provides every scholar, with a hot lunch every school day. The meals are prepared by parent volunteers at the Lihuk centres. Some of the vegetables are sourced from  Edible Gardens created by PACE in 2019.
  • Library Programme – 20 years ago PACE helped to create two libraries for the Lihuk scholars. In recent years PACE raised funds to refurbish one of the libraries and re-stock the shelves. This was completed in 2023 with the help of  UWCSEA Grade 11 during Project Week.

Other than enabling me to obtain an education that I may not otherwise have access to, the Lihuk scholarship gave me a huge boost in morale. My goal before was to simply get whatever degree there is that can help me land a job, get paid, and move out of poverty. But with the huge financial burden lifted off me, I learned to have bigger dreams and aspirations.

Other than enabling me to obtain an education that I may not otherwise have access to, the Lihuk scholarship gave me a huge boost in morale. My goal before was to simply get whatever degree there is that can help me land a job, get paid, and move out of poverty. But with the huge financial burden lifted off me, I learned to have bigger dreams and aspirations.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Walk Through WWII Battlegrounds at Bukit Brown

30 November 2022
08:30 am - 11:30 am
The Battle of Singapore was fought from 8-15 February 1942. Though short, it was a week of intense fighting before the British surrendered Singapore to the Japanese forces. Meandering through Bukit Brown, an expansive beautiful park rich in heritage, join us on a guided walk that will take you back to one of the most turbulent times in Singapore! We are deeply honoured and thankful to Claire Leow, for guiding us and sharing her valuable knowledge with us on our Walk Through War Time Singapore. Clair has been a journalist for over 21 years and loves photography, community projects, travel and visiting historic sites.
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NEW EVENTS & ACTIVITIES COMING SOON

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