The Brown Girl Woke scholarship has been awarded to Kristariner Lee and Maria Karameli Telea.

The scholarship recipients were announced by women empowerment advocator and Brown Girl Woke founder Doris Tulifau.

Kristariner Lee, 21-years-old from the village of Papauta, graduated from the NUS foundation program last year and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture at the University of South Pacific (U.S.P). Maria Telea, 18, from Faleata is pursuing a bachelors’ degree in biochemistry at the NUS. 

Both girls are members of the U.S.P Rotaract Club and Samoan Students Association, where they met Doris for the fist time.

According to Doris, they were selected for showing accountability and great work ethics to organize events, competence and potential to do workshops in the schools. 

Doris said these skills are needed as Brown Girl Woke scholars are needed to establish and maintain clubs for both the National University of Samoa and the University of South Pacific.

The Brown Girl Woke scholarship 2019 is one full year tuition and registration for their bachelor degrees.

Speaking during interviews with the Samoa Observer, both Kristariner and Maria said they had financial difficulties and they are grateful at being selected as a Brown Girl Woke scholar. 

“It is a blessing to be a scholar for Brown Girl Woke. My family is doing the best we can financially though I would not be attending school this year had it not been for the scholarship grant,” Kristariner said.

Maria said the scholarship will lighten the burden on her family.  

“With the scholarship I know that I can focus 100 per cent – not having to worry about my tuition. I want to finish my degree and become a doctor and Doris has made this possible for me to achieve, and it is such a privilege for me,” Maria said.