Four local university students have been awarded scholarships by the non-Government organisation Brown Girl Woke (B.G.W.) to help overcome their financial struggles.

A small ceremony to officially mark the occasion was held on Friday at B.G.W.’s headquarters at the N.I.A. Mall.

Each annual scholarship is worth $1,500. Some recipients are studying at the University of the South Pacific and National University of Samoa. 

Each recipient will receive $500 in the first semester. Whether financial support is extended to support them through their second semester of studies with a grant worth $1,000 will depend on the students’ academic performance. 

The founder of B.G.W., Maluseu Doris Tulifau, said the hardship scholarships programme would not have been possible without the help of Gems of the South Pacific. The online platform allows for the promotion of businesses and talents from across the South Pacific 

She thanked Gems of the South Pacific for hosting a 2020 Xmas concert to raise funds towards B.G.W.’s scholarship programmes and helping support the next generation of kids in Samoa.

“This is the third year we have done scholarships,” she said.

In a statement issued by B.G.W., the Gems of the South Pacific founder, Luana Nauer said: “I have always wanted to give back to our people, to those unfortunate families and individuals who need our help.”

She added that B.G.W. inspired her so much to do something.

“My businesses always do a food giveaway every month here in the United States.

“After interviewing Doris Tulifau, I have found my partner in Christ that I can trust to help our own people in the island.”

One of the recipients, Isadora Jessop told the Samoa Observer that the scholarship will assist her parents who are currently unemployed with paying her school fees.

She is currently a Foundation Science student at the National University of Samoa.  

The 18-year-old from Moto’otua said that she has nine siblings all of whom are attending school; the scholarship, she said, will make a tremendous financial difference to her life. 

“This scholarship will help me fulfill my dreams,” she told the Samoa Observer. 

Ms. Jessop also mentioned that her family sometimes depends on their plantation for survival. 

She said that she had been questioning whether to attend university because her parents were already struggling to pay her siblings' school fees. 

“I was inspired to be a doctor in the future so I can help others but also give back to my family especially my parents," she said.