Scholarship Story: Refugee Girls Scholarship Fund

Across the world, displacement and conflict reduce opportunities for girls to get an education. At Global Village Project, a school in Decatur, education reignites for refugee girls through a holistic approach that includes mentorship and social and emotional wellness. With students graduating and looking to their futures, the need for further support became apparent. Ricky and Suzie Jacobs were founding members of the Global Village Project. The young women they worked with would be accepted to a post-secondary program and receive financial aid, but there was often a small but critical gap – sometimes, just a few thousand dollars. After Ricky passed away, Suzie and other donors wanted to honor him while closing that gap.

They created the Refugee Girls Scholarship Fund in 2020 to provide students with the last few dollars needed for tuition, room and board or other costs. “This fund gives deserving refugee girls a chance for college they might not otherwise have. Deserving is the key word – they have worked so hard! We thought that if someone wants an education this badly, we should do everything in our power to help her get it,” said Suzie Jacobs.  

The Fund has supported 18 young women thus far from Afghanistan, Burma, Malaysia, Syria, and other countries. They are pursuing diverse paths – one is earning her cosmetology license and one is aiming for medical school – but all are furthering their dreams of an education.

“We know that education for young women has a ripple effect,” Jacobs said. “Educated young women give back to their families and communities. They raise the living standards for all.”

Donors, if you would like to learn more about the Refugee Girls Scholarship Fund or to make a grant, contact Jill Clark.