VOLUME 2, SUMMER 2016
Education and support for orphaned students worldwide
KOKOROZASHI
International Newsletter
English Edition -
英語版
Photo Credit: Atsushi Shibuya
www.ashinaga.org/en
@AshinagaGlobal
ASHINAGAofcial
THIS EDITION
Contents
About Us
Ashinaga Africa Initiative
Featured Student: Awa
Updates
Recruitment 2016
Forming Bonds
A Mother's View
Preparation Camp
Rainbow House
Appointment of new Kenjin-Tatsujin
At Home in the World Concert
Fundraising
Get Involved
Ashinaga is a Japanese non-governmental organization (NGO) that
provides support and education for orphaned students around the
world. Our support is centered around not only providing nancial
and psychological support to children and young people who have
lost one or both parents, but also securing their access to higher
education through loans and scholarships, encouraging them to have
amibitious dreams for their futures, and fostering a sense of 'paying
forward' the support they have received to their commuity or others
who are in need.
Ashinaga has been providing this means of support in Japan for
several decades, and over 95,000 students have benefitted from
our work. Our activities expanded internationally in 2001, with the
establishment of a new branch in Uganda, focusing primarily on the
support of HIV/AIDS orphans. Since then, we have opened further
branches in Senegal, the United States, the UK, and France to support
our latest venture - the Ashinaga Africa Initiative
The Ashinaga Africa Initiative is a scholarship for bright and ambitious
orphaned students from Sub-Saharan Africa who hope to effect
meaningful change in their community, country or Africa as a whole.
Ashinaga provides each selected Ashinaga Africa Initiative scholar
with the nances, support, mentoring, and guidance to study abroad
and then return home to turn their vision for their country into an
empowered reality.
Ashinaga aims to select one Ashinaga Africa Initiative scholar from
each country in Sub-Saharan Africa every year.
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FEATURED STUDENT
Awa Thioub Faye
Senegal
‘You’re a girl, why don’t you just quit school, get married, and start a family?’
‘Girls don’t need an education.’
Although Awa’s father passed away when she was only 3 years old, thanks to
her mother, a midwife, she was able to graduate high school. Because of that,
whenever she is hears such words, she answers back: ‘Should women really
stay at home and not go out into society? Surely, just like my mother, don’t
many women play an important role in society?’
Awa even confronts these attitudes at school: ‘In Senegal, there are many
people who believe that women’s education is not a good thing. You might
not believe it, but there are teachers who lower the grades of the female
students and inate the averages of the male students, simply because boys
should get better grades. There are even female teachers who engage in
such behaviour.’
Awa’s dream is to research agriculture that makes use of bioengineering, and
then eventually found a science and technology institute aimed at women in
Senegal. One reason for this would be to remove the current prejudice that
women face.
‘There are people in Senegal who think that girls just naturally
cannot become scientists, but I want put all my efforts in the
areas that I enjoy, like biology and physics, and prove to them
that girls can become scientists too.’
Given that, there is a long road ahead for Awa. When discussing prejudice
against women, people have said to Awa things such as: ‘This is part of this
country’s culture and traditions.’ ‘However,’ points out Awa in a deant tone,
‘Culture and tradition is thought of as simply a necessity by many people, but
I think that culture and tradition is also about selecting that which is passed
on. If we settle issues only in terms of culture and tradition, then nothing will
change and there can be no hope for Africa’s growth.’
In short, ‘prejudice’ is not just limited to women’s issues. In many African
countries, not just Senegal, even though agriculture is a major industry,
imports of food are heavily relied upon. In addition to a lack of irrigation
and other infrastructure, this is also due in part to many people not giving
up traditional farming methods. Awa aims to address these issues not with
tradition, but with the scientic method.
‘I went through this study camp, and made friends who share an ambition to
change Africa together. We will work hard, cooperating to change not only
Senegal but all of Africa,’ says Awa condently.
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(1) Ashinaga staff Samantha, Moe, and Simon with M. Ambroise
Medegan (Constitutional Court of Benin) and Mme. Josephine
Idohou-Affagnon (High Court of Justice of Benin), two local
experts who assisted with the 2016 recruiment of Ashinaga
scholars.
(2) Board Member Noriko Tominaga (far-right) and Europe
Ofce Coordinator Samantha Smith (right) with Beatrice
Khaiat (far-left), director general of Campus France, discussing a
future partnership.
(3) Cannelle and Yudai from Ashinaga Senegal promoting
Japanese culture in Senegal with local JICA staff.
UPDATES
(4) Ashinaga Uganda Terakoya kids rehearsing for the At Home
in the World Concert, due to take place in Kampala, Uganda on
August 23rd 2016.
(5) Yuka Yamada (front, centre), Acting Director of Ashinaga
Uganda, with the 2015 Scholars who have gathered at the Uganda
Kokoro Juku for a preparation camp.
(6) Ashinaga students in Japan fundraising, with a particular focus
this year on supporting the victims of the Kumamoto Earthquakes.
(7) A joint symposium between Ashinaga, JICA and the Japanese
Ministry of Foreign Affairs on African Development.
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UPDATES
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UPDATES
NEW STAFF
Irene Nabanoba
Irene was one of the first Ugandan students to receive a scholarship from Ashinaga. With that
scholarship she came to Japan to study Liberal Arts at Kwansei Gakuin University. Following
graduation, she went on to study Public Health at postgraduate level at the University of
Kyoto, one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. After submitting her research paper
on HIV, she approached Ashinaga President Yoshiomi Tamai for a chance to work at Ashinaga
and put her experience to good use to support other young people like her. Irene, along
with Matovu, now lead Ashinaga's public relations efforts in Japan for the Africa Initiative.
(8) Ashinaga President, Yoshiomi Tamai. is awarded the Eiji
Yoshikawa Bunka Award for his social activism in Japan.
(9) Ashinaga alumna Yukie Seki is made Director of
International Affairs.
(10) Ashinaga alumnus Yukichi Okazaki is made President of
Ashinaga USA.
(11) Ashinaga alumni Joseph Matovu (right) and Irene
Nabanoba (left) are put in charge of PR for Ashinaga's
international activities.
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RECRUITMENT
During April of this year, a team of Ashinaga staff of various divisions set out on one of Ashinaga's most challenging tasks
- the selection of Ashinaga Africa Initative Scholars across 35 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. After receiving hundreds of
applications, only the top ve candidates in each country are invited to be interviewed in their home country. These nalists
are put through a rigorous selection process, which looks at not only their academic prowess and potential, but also their
dedication towards gaining an education abroad for the purpose of returning to Sub-Saharan Africa and making a difference.
Through essays, tests, presentations, and nally an interview, the Ashinaga staff draw closer and closer to nding that one
candidate in each country who best embodies the values of the Ashinaga Africa Initiative.
During the interviews, Ashinaga staff members involved in the Africa Initiative are joined by two local experts. These experts,
typically recommended by the local Japanese Embassy, are respected educators and government ofcials who not only provide
valuable advice and context for our staff, but also provide valuable guidance to all of our candidates, whether or not they are
selected for the Ashinaga Africa Initiative.
This year, 32 candidates, half of whom were women, were selected across a range of anglophone, francophone and lusophone countries in Sub-Saharan
Africa. Some countries were too difcult for our staff to visit due to safety concerns, but we still carried out interviews through video call, thanks to the kind support
of local JICA ofces and Japanese expats. There still lie many challenges ahead before Ashinaga can expand our recruitment to all 49 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, but we are
certain that it is achievable.
Of course Ashinaga would deeply wish to be able to support all of the nalists, but unfortunately for the time being we can only support a single candidate from each country,
which makes the whole selection process even more difcult. We are always inspired to hear the stories of what some of our candidates have experienced, as well as what drives
them to better their community. Hopefully as the Ashinaga Africa Initiative expands we can begin to further support even more candidates with large ambitions to effect change.
Finding the next generation of leaders
PHOTO
Center: Emmanuel, 2016 Candidate from Cote d'Ivoire, during his interview in Abidjan. (Photo Credit: Ministry of Education of Cote d'Ivoire)
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FORMING BONDS
One of the most vital aspects of any plan or project are the people you meet
and connect with along the way. This is equally true for the Ashinaga Africa
Initiative and the various academics, social activists, officials, and volunteers,
without whom this entire project would not be possible. That is why the staff
at Ashinaga take every opportunity to meet with such key individuals in each
country, in order to become better informed about the realities that orphaned
students face in each region, and how Ashinaga might be able to improve its
African Leaders Initiative.
Such encounters can also spell the beginning of a highly mutually benecial
partnerships, as is the case when Ashinaga staff member Simon McDonagh met
with Dr. Willibroad Dze-Ngwa (above) of the African Network Against Illiteracy
Conflicts and Human Rights Abuses (ANICHRA). Dr. Dze-Ngwa, himself an
orphan following civil war in Cameroon, is a vocal advocate for the power that
education and dialogue has in resolving conict. His work with ANICHRA ties
in exactly with Ashinaga's values, and so we aim to pursue closer relationships
with them and other similar organisations in the hope of promoting our
initiative to other bright, eligible students, while at the same time contributing to
their mission in any way we can.
Local expertise
Marie is from Yaounde, Cameroon and her son, Valery, was selected as an Ashinaga Scholar
in 2015.
I would rst like to say thank you to Ashinaga. It is a very, very great organization,
and so I say thank you enormously. If I had to say something to the parents out there,
I would ask them to put their faith in Ashinaga, and to not give up hope for their
children. I don't know if this is putting it strongly, but there is no other like it, Ashinaga
is the best. It is not well known, but really I can attest that they are good people.
[When Valery came back from the study camp] I did not recognize him anymore,
because he was so serious, respectful, very hardworking, and very mature. He was
no longer the same: he gives good advice to his brothers. What was most surprising
was how focused he is - always reading, always studying. He now sweeps the house,
washes the dishes - yes, really! He didn't do that at all before; he was so lazy! Frankly
he has changed so much.
For his future, I would like that he helps other disadvantaged children and constructs
something for his country.
"I want the best for him, and you known that every parent
just wants their child to be the best."
I want him to be happy, to nd success. and to do something to show others that he
has been brought up well.
A Mother's
View
Marie Solange
Cameroon
PHOTOS
Left: Dr. Willibroad Dze-Ngwa, founder of ANICHRA, who met with Ashinaga staff in
Cameroon.
Right, Top: Ashinaga staff, Xan and Wakana (far left), with members of the JICA
ofce in Libreville, Gabon.
Right, Bottom: Ashinaga staff Moe and Samantha with Mme. Maman Diarrassouba
from the Ivorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
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PREPARATION CAMP
RAINBOW HOUSE
Japanese backpacks for Terakoya
A group of mothers in Japan have come together to make a big difference to the lives of our Terakoya program
students at the Ashinaga Uganda Rainbow House. The Ashinaga Uganda Rainbow House provides support to
the orphaned children and young people in the local community of Nansana, and Terakoya is a program within
the Rainbow House specically for orphaned children within the local community who would otherwise be
unable to gain an elementary school education without the support from Ashinaga.
This group of mothers, called the Chigasaki Randsell Project, is collecting used Japanese 'randsell' backpacks and
donating them to the Terakoya students at Ashinaga Uganda Rainbow House. Randsell backpacks are what most
Japanese schoolchildren use during elementary school, and their high quality design and durability makes them
perfect for our students, who can even use the backpack as a makeshift desk at home. We are greatly thankful
to the Chigasaki Randsell Project for their thoughtful and generous donation!
DESTINATION COUNTRIES
FOR 2015 SCHOLARS
The Ashinaga Uganda Kokoro-Juku has sprung to life once again as the Ashinaga Africa Initative 2015 Scholars
return for one last reunion before they begin their academic careers at their respective universities. Ashinaga
brings its students together like this before the start of their studies in order to foster a sense of unity and family
among the scholars and Ashinaga staff, despite all of them being from different countries. The curriculum of the
preparation camp not only prepares these students for their studies abroad, but also strengthens and reinforces
the sense of responsibility they should hold and maintain towards helping their home country upon their return.
Students are joined by intern volunteers from some of the world's top universities, such as Princeton and Oxford,
who coach the students in community engagement, leadership, study skills, and cultural awareness. Through these
camps the interns and students form a strong network dedicated to the future potential of Sub-Saharan Africa.
How a family is made
Australia
Brazil
Canada
France
Ireland
Japan
UK
USA
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PHOTOS
Left: 2015 Scholars trying out some meditation as a break from their studies at reunion camp in Uganda.
Right: Students working on a solar panel community project as part of their leadership curriculum.
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KENJIN-TATSUJIN
Kathleen Durham
United States
Miriam K. Were
Kenya
Ebenezer Owuzu
Ghana
James Baba Boliba
Uganda
Executive Director of the Eleanor
Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill. The Center
promotes the humanitarian values
of Eleanor Roosevelt, including the
preservation of human rights and the
strengthening of women's education.
Chancellor of Moi University in Eldoret,
Kenya. A highly regarded medical
doctor and public health advocate,
who was the first recipient of the
Hideyo Noguchi Africa Prize for her
work against infectious diseases.
Prof. Owuzu is the Vice-Chancellor of
the University of Ghana. A reknowned
scientist, Prof. Owusu undertook his
studies in Japan, and has since received
multiple awards for his promotion of
friendship between Japan and Ghana.
Member of Parliament and Former
Ugandan Cabinet Member. Mr. Baba
served as Ugandan Ambassador to
Japan between 2001 and 2005, and
was a key figure in helping Ashinaga
establish Ashinaga Uganda in Kampala.
Ashinaga welcomes four new members to its Kenjin-Tatsujin
International Advisory Council
At
Home
in the
World
世界がわが家
A cultural collaboration
like no other
UPCOMING EVENT
At Home in the World is a music and dance collaboration
concert made up of dancers from Ashinaga Uganda,
Japanese wa-daiko drum performers from the tsunami-
striken Tohoku region in Japan, and singers from the
Vassar College Choir.
Presented by Ashinaga and Vassar College
Directed by John Caird
NDERE Cultural Centre, Kampala, Uganda
Tuesday, August 23rd 2016, 7:00pm
Tickets and enquiries: athome@ashinaga.org
The Kenjin-Tatsujin International Advisory Council is a collection of notable and inuential persons from around the world who are dedicated to supporting Ashinaga's Africa Initiative. It is made
up of experts in various elds, including business, education, politics, entertainment, and social activism. They provide guidance and advice to the Ashianga Africa Initative, while also doing what
they can to provide our African scholars with opportunities during and after their studies.
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FUNDRAISING
A
Students's
View
I was among the 7th cohort of Ashinaga students
to spend a year abroad in Uganda, after which
I was involved in organising Ashinaga's P Walk
10. I graduated university in 2013 and now I
work as a elementary school teacher in Tokyo.
The experience in Uganda was a year that allowed
me feel that responsibility to get involved in education
and to experience a life-affirming intensity of life there.
I am now doing my utmost to convery the perspectives
and experiences I learnt in Uganda through daily
conversations with Ugandan kids. I want to help, little
by little, to widen these international perspectives
among the empathic kids back here in Japan.
Airi Kaise
皆瀬愛理
A key part of Ashinaga's philosophy is that if one benets from the kindness of others, then one must aim to pay forward that same kindness so that someone else in need of
support may also benet. Ashinaga teaches and encourages this spirit of paying forward, or on-okuri in Japanese, to all of our students. This spirit is what drives the success of our
student fundraising in Japan, which takes place twice per year and generates signicant funding that allows Ashinaga to continue to expand our support to more orphaned students
in need. Each loan or scholarship we provide is made possible thanks to the collective compassion of thousands of donors. The student volunteers stand proudly in front of train
stations all across Japan, standing up for a brighter future for more disadvantaged students, just the same as how many kind Ashinaga-san (donors) have stood behind them.
This concept of student-led fundraising has been a pillar of Ashinaga's history, ever since Ashinaga President and Founder Yoshiomi Tamai gathered a core group of activists to
fundraise at over 400 universities all across Japan in 1970. Through those initial efforts, enough money was raised to establish Ashinaga's scholarship fund, which has since gone on to
support thousands of orphaned students.
Of course paying forward does not always have to relate to money; you can pay forward with your time, energy, knowledge, or expertise. This is what we instil in and expect from
our scholars on the Africa Initative: though they perhaps might not be able to repay nancially the kindness that has been invested in them by the donors and student volunteers
in Japan and around the world, they can instead show their appreciation through their continued dedicated to bettering their community upon their return to Sub-Saharan Africa.
Through their kindness, they might then inspire further individuals in their community to enter into a spirit of paying it forward.
On-okuri - paying forward
FUNDRAISING IN
NUMBERS
Over 8,000
student volunteers in
over
170 locations
in Japan raised
130,000,000 Japanese Yen
($1, 250,000) during the Spring
Fundraising Drive.
Two-thirds
will be donated to the Red
Cross Japan to directly support the
victims of the Kumamoto Earthquakes.
Left: Wataru (centre), head of the Ashinaga Student Fundraising
Association, standing with other volunteers in Tokyo.
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GET INVOLVED
Volunteer
Intern
Donate
Apply
Our Ashinaga offices are always welcome to those who would like to volunteer
their time to helping our activities. We currently have offices in the US, UK,
France, Uganda, Senegal and Japan. In particular we value volunteers with
language and translation skills, creative skills, or experience working with young
people. If you are a university student, we also have opportunities for volunteer
student training for those who would like to promote and fundraise for Ashinaga.
Ashinaga has been providing internships at our offices in Japan, Uganda and Senegal
since 2013. So far these programs have been highly successful, and we do our best
to ensure that each intern has a rewarding and fruitful experience during their time
with us. Opportunities are available throughout the year and recruitment through
certain partner university career offices typically begins in December. Ashinaga
particularly welcomes students from disadvantaged and minority backgrounds.
All of our activities are not possible without donations from our kind supporters.
Large or small, every donation increases our capacity to support even more
orphaned students through high school and university. A number of donations
are available, including one-time or regular donation, and donors are given the
option to choose precisely where their money is spent. Regular donors are called
'Ashinaga-san' and receive letters of thanks every year from our Ashinaga students.
The Ashinaga Africa Initiative recruits orphaned students from Sub-Saharan Africa
every year for our scholarship program, which includes all necessary funding and
support to study at university abroad. Scholarships are limited to one student per
country. Recruitment for English and Portuguese-speaking countries begins in October
2016, and recruitment for French-speaking countries will begin in April 2017. All
candidates must have already graduated high school, be under 22 years old at the
time of application and must also be able to prove the loss of one or both parents.
For further information about volunteering opportunities, please contact the
relevant Ashinaga branch ofce
For further information about internship opportunities, please contact:
[email protected]
For further information about how to donate, please visit our website:
http://ashinaga.donation.fm/en/
For enquiries about scholarships, please refer to our Africa Initiative website:
www.ashinaga100-yearvision.org/en/
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JAPAN UGANDA SENEGAL USA
Hirakawacho Kaizaka Bldg.
1-6-8 Hirakawacho, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo 102-8639
+81 3-3221-0814
[email protected]
Yesu Amala, Wakiso District
PO Box 16864
Kampala
+256 756-970148
[email protected]
Fann Residence, FN 11XFN08,
TF 18/09/DG Lot A
B.P 5081, FANN-DAKAR, Dakar
+221 33 86 46 62
senegalof[email protected]
1725 I Street NW, Suite 300
Washington
DC 20006
+1 202-349-3779
[email protected]
ASHINAGAofcial @AshinagaGlobal www.ashinaga.org/en
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INFORMATION AND APPLICATION: www.ashinaga-100yearvision.org/en/100year/recruit
Ashinaga
ASHINAGA AFRICA INITIATIVE 2017
Contribute to Sub-Saharan Africa’s development through higher education abroad
Ashinaga is a Japan-based nonprofit organization, which provides educational and emotional support to
orphaned students. The organization has supported over 95,000 orphans in the last 45 years, and many of
its graduates are actively contributing to society in a variety of fields across the world.
The Ashinaga Africa Initiative began in 2014. Its mission is to contribute to Sub-Saharan Africa’s expanding
role in global development through increasing access to higher education abroad. We support orphaned
students who are committed to returning home and initiating change by providing access to full financial
support to study at university abroad (equivalent to undergraduate degree), including tuition, room, travel cost
and other necessary fees.
1. Requirement - The application is open to those who:
1. Have lost one or both parents.
2. Have completed 12 years of education (primary and secondary school) within the last two years, or those
who will complete 12 years of education by December 31, 2016.
3. Have citizenship and completed/are completing high school in one of the following countries: Uganda,
Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Ghana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Sudan, Botswana,
South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mauritius, Somalia, Nigeria, The Gambia.
4. Were born after 1
st
October 1994.
5. Do not have the financial means to attend university.
6. Are proficient in English.
7. Have an outstanding academic performance at high school.
8. Are able to participate in the two Ashinaga preparatory programs, over the course of one year, before
attending university.
9. Are willing to return home, or to Sub-Saharan Africa, and contribute to society in Sub-Saharan Africa
after graduating from university.
10. Have no dependents who could interfere with academic progress.
11. Are in good health condition and capable of studying abroad.
2. Application documents to submit:
1. This application form (pages 4 to 7).
2. One passport photo.
3. Copy of term reports / high school transcripts (the last 2 years).
4. Academic transcripts or diplomas from university/post-secondary institution, if applicable.
5. Copy of General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE).
6. Completion of essay 1 and essay 2, see below.
7. Copy of death certificate of deceased parent(s) or alternative official document.
8. Copy of birth certificate.
9. Recommendation letter from a principal or a class teacher.
10. Copy of national ID card or passport.
11. Awards or activity certificates, if any.
Note: This application and selection process is free for students, and anyone asking for payment at any
stage of this process is doing so against the will of Ashinaga, and should not be paid.
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HOW TO APPLY
There are three ways to apply for the Ashinaga Africa Initiative. Please choose one method and submit all the
correct documents before the deadline. We strongly recommend applying either by email or online.
PLEASE NOTE: All documents must be submitted in English. If they are not in English, candidates must have
the documents translated officially. Use the western calendar to fill in the application.
Final deadline: February 28
th
2017**
** For students graduating in 2016, we will accept your ‘Copy of General Certificate of Secondary Education’ until
March 31, 2017. Please send the copy via email as soon as you receive the result.
Please also note that ONLY successful candidates will be contacted via email in late March 2017 to be invited to
attend an interview in their home country, which will take place in April 2017.
Online
Go to:
https://www.jotform.com/Ashinag
aAAI/Application_Form_2017_En
and fill out the online application.
Upload scans (in JPEG/PDF
format) of the following
documents to the end of your
online application:
- 1 passport photo
- 2 essays (insert in the form)
- School term reports /
school transcripts from the
last two years
- GCSE
- further qualifications if you
have already received them
- Birth Certificate
- Death Certificate of one or
both parents
- National ID or passport
- Recommendation letter
- Any awards or certificates
Submit Online
https://www.jotform.co
m/AshinagaAAI/Applicat
ion_Form_2017_En
By Email
Fill out the paper-
application form.
Scan the following documents
in JPEG/PDF format:
- Completed application form
- 1 passport photo
- 2 essays
- School term reports /
school transcripts from the
last two years
- GCSE
- further qualifications if you
have already received them
- Birth Certificate
- Death Certificate of one or
both parents
- National ID or passport
- Recommendation letter
- Any awards or certificates
Send all your scanned
documents in one email
to:
admissions.en@
ashinaga.org
By Post
Fill out the paper-
application form.
Enclose the following
documents:
- Completed application form
- 1 passport photo
- 2 essays
- School term reports /
school transcripts from the
last two years
- GCSE
- further qualifications if you
have already received them
- Birth Certificate
- Death Certificate of one or
both parents
- National ID or passport
- Recommendation letter
- Any awards or certificates
Send your application and
document copies (not
originals) to this address:
Ashinaga Africa
Initiative Recruitment
Team
P. O. Box 16864 -
Kampala, UGANDA
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OUTLINE OF THE ASHINAGA AFRICA INITIATIVE (AAI) 2017
Selection:
Ashinaga screens the applications and selects finalists from each country to interview in person. Only successful
candidates will be informed about an interview by email before the end of March 2017. Ashinaga then conducts
individual interviews and an exam to better understand students’ academic ability and career goals in Sub-Saharan
Africa. Students must bring all original academic documents and identity documents to the interview. Failure to do so
may result in dismissal.
Study Camp and Preparation Camp in Uganda:
Ashinaga selects one student from each country to participate in a Study Camp in Uganda from July to December
2017.During the Study Camp, students are assisted in their academic preparation, university application, career
planning and leadership development. All the costs during the camp will be fully covered by Ashinaga. A second camp
happens between May and June 2018 after students gain admission to university. Students meet again to prepare for
the social, cultural, and academic differences they will discover abroad. Students then proceed to university in
September of 2018.
During university:
The AAI helps students access full financial support to study abroad that covers the costs of tuition, accommodation,
insurance, and flights; and provides a monthly stipend which covers necessary academic costs and food. The support
covers the first possible qualification that can be earned. The costs of a foundation or preparatory course will also be
covered if required for the student to be admitted or properly prepared for their degree, or if the academic qualifications
in the student’s country are not recognized in the potential country of study. However AAI does not support a second
degree or Master’s degree. Scholars will participate in a mandatory internship in their home country or Sub-Saharan
Africa and join Ashinaga’s programs which promote individual growth, future career and education in Africa. Ashinaga
has regional offices to support students during their studies in Japan, the USA and Europe.
After graduation:
Scholars are required return to Sub-Saharan Africa within 5 years after graduation for 10 consecutive years to work
there. If scholars failed to return, they are required to refund the costs of the financial support they are given in order to
fund other Ashinaga scholars.
Important Note: <Becoming a scholar>
Students will only officially become the recipients of the “Ashinaga Africa Initiative” after receiving admission from a
university and a visa from the potential country of study. Please know that joining the study camp does NOT guarantee
admission to university or visa acceptance. University admission and visa application are the student’s own responsibility,
but Ashinaga will do its best to support students in both.
Important Note: <Choosing a subject/country/university>
※ Ashinaga takes students’ goals and preferences into consideration, but withholds the right to make the final
decision with regards to selection of subject, country and university.
Students are able to express their initial choice at the time of interview, and a final decision will be made during the
course of the Study Camp through consultation with Ashinaga. Scholars are encouraged to apply to the universities
that Ashinaga has an existing relationship with; therefore, it is not always possible for students to choose universities
themselves. Please note Ashinaga does NOT support candidates for medical (doctor) degrees, although it does support
three- or four-year degrees related to medicine, such as biomedicine. In addition, candidates wishing to study
engineering should be aware that we will require particularly strong high school grades for a successful application.
4
Application Form (4 pages)
COVER PAGE (Please complete in CAPITAL letters in blue or black ink)
Family Name: ___________________________________________________
First/Given Name(s): ____________________________________________
Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY): ______________________________________
Age: ______________ Sex (tick): □ Male □ Female
Home (Physical) Address: _________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
Mailing (Postal) Address: ____________________________________________________________________
Nationality: ______________________________ Facebook ID: ______________________________________
WhatsApp number: _______________________________
Email Address (please write one letter per box below):
Main Phone Number (We will use this to contact you):
Phone Number 2 (Secondary contact):
Do you have any past or current health issues? Please specify: ________________________________________
Family Information
Father: □ alive □ deceased □ unknown
If deceased, state year and cause of death, if known: _______________________________________________
Mother: □ alive □ deceased □ unknown
If deceased, state year and cause of death, if known _______________________________________________
My guardian is my: □ Mother □ Father □ Other (_________________________________)
Guardian Name: ______________________________________ Occupation: _________________________
Phone number: _______________________________________ Monthly Income: ______________________
How many people are you living with? ______________ How many siblings do you have? ________________
Do you have any family members who are living or studying abroad? Please specify: _____________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Please explain the educational and financial status of your siblings: ___________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
+
+
Attach
Passport Photo
Here
5
Name_________________________________
Does anyone else support you other than your guardian? Please specify: ______________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Academic History
When did you or will you graduate from secondary school? : □ 2014 □ 2015 □ 2016
Please list your educational background and qualifications, starting with the most recent:
Year
(yyyy – yyyy)
School or Institution
Qualification
e.g. 2015 -2016
Alliance High School
General Certificate of Secondary
Education
Have you ever received a scholarship to support your education? Please specify: _________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
If you have already graduated from secondary school, please account for your activities (university, work or otherwise)
since graduation from secondary school:
Date
Activity
Language Skills
Native language: ______________________
Please list all the languages that you are proficient in: ________________________________________________
If you have taken a language proficiency test, please note the name and official score below;
Name of Exam: ________________________________ Score: ___________________
6
Awards and Extra-Curricular Activities Name__________________________
Please list and briefly explain three extra-curricular activities or awards below. You should choose those that you are
most proud of:
Date
Activity or Award
Essay
Please type/write using a separate sheet of paper. If you choose to handwrite your answer, please write in print and with
black ink. No pencil is acceptable.
Essay 1: Please describe how you grew up and experienced losing your parent(s). What challenges have you faced
after the loss and what did you do in order to overcome them? Please write in detail especially the action you took to
continue your education. (Maximum 500 words)
Essay 2: Please write a “personal statement” in English describing why and what you want to study at university abroad.
Also, please mention whether you have any future plans of how you want to use the knowledge and experience that
you gain after graduating from university. (Maximum 500 words)
Agreement
To complete the application, please check the boxes and sign below:
□ I have read and fully understand the outline of the Africa Initiative 2017 and fully agree to participate in all
mentioned activities.
□ I hereby declare that the statements I have made on this form are true to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Print Full Name of Applicant Signature of Applicant Date
Print Full Name of Guardian Signature of Guardian* Date
Please note that the signature of your guardian is required to complete the application
Remember that personal statements are just that - they are about you and no one else.
Ashinaga is interested in how you make the most of what is available to you.
7
Application Checklist Name________________________________________
Please ✔
if you enclosed
Documents
How to obtain the forms
□
1
Application form (4 pages)
Download from the website/ Copy
□
2
Passport Photo
Prepare yourself
□
3
Term reports / HS transcript for last 2 years
Ask your secondary teacher
□
4
Academic transcript/diplomas showing
subjects taking currently at university/
education institution after secondary school
Ask university/ education institution. If you do not have, please
disregard.
□
5
GCSE certificate
Ask the exam organization/ institution
Please fill in
the boxes.
Name of the Exam
Exam ID number
Score
Date of exam
day / month / year 20
Date of issuing exam result
day / month / year 20
If you cannot submit by the deadline,
please specify when you can send it.
day / month / year 20
□
6
Essay 1
Prepare yourself
□
7
Essay 2
Prepare yourself
□
8
Death certificate
Ask the government institution
□
9
Birth certificate
Ask the government institution
□
10
Recommendation letter
Ask your secondary teachers/ university professors
□
11
Copy of ID (e.g., national, student)
Prepare yourself.
□
13
Copy of passport if possible
Prepare yourself if you have one. If not, please disregard.
□
14
Copy of award or activity certificates
From organizations. If you do not have, please disregard.
<Question>
How did you learn about this scholarship
program? Please ✔ for the appropriate
answers from the box on the right.
□ Japanese Embassy
□ Ashinaga website
□ Social Media
□ Family/ Friends
□ School （Please specify:____________________ _____）
□ Other （_______________________________________）