Church gives bursaries, scholarships

For the past 15 years, St. Paul on-the-Hill, Pickering has donated bursaries to groups or individuals in financial need around the world. In 2022, the church’s Arcelia Hunte Memorial International Bursary was presented to Universal Seniors Social Services Uganda, which seeks to improve the lives of seniors in Uganda through food security, nutrition and medical care.

Over the years, 16 bursaries have been donated to individuals or groups in Tanzania, Guyana, Uganda, Guatemala, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Egypt, Cambodia, Algeria, Nepal and Belize.

In addition to the international bursaries, the church awards scholarships to help local Grade 12 students pay for their post-secondary education. The Youth Achievement Scholarship is unique, as it includes a spiritual component. Since 2008, the church has given scholarships to 50 students who are members of the church or reside in Pickering or Ajax. In 2022, scholarships were given to Teresa Bowman, Paige Ramjist, Katherine Scott and Lauren Smillie. These students demonstrated outstanding academic performance in addition to commendable leadership and service within their schools, communities and churches.

For more information about the scholarship program, including how to donate to it, call the church office at 905-839-7909.

Submitted by Marilyn Sinclair and Marg Jocz.