Eastern North Dakota Synod

Global Ministries

Central African Republic Girls' High School Scholarships

One of the most urgent problems today in the C.A.R. is the educational crisis. The government of the C.A.R. has been unable to pay its teachers regularly for many years, leading to a breakdown in the public school system. The women’s organization of the C.A.R. Lutheran Church saw a need for educated leaders for the future and in 1995 began setting up a scholarship program for teenage girls to attend high school.

The program began with the 1997-98 school year. Four girls received scholarships to attend the Protestant High School in Ngaoundere, Cameroon (a Lutheran school) and two were sent to the Technical Girls’ School of Maigaro (a Catholic school). The scholarships for these first six were funded by the church –wide WELCA organization. Since then the program has continued to grow.

In 1998, nine 14-year-olds were selected to begin studies at the Technical Girl’s school, and two were chosen to go to the Protestant High School. In the ‘02-03 school year, 17 girls studied at Maigaro, four in Ngaoundere, and one in Yaoundé. In ‘03-‘04, the program continued to expand with 25 girls studying at four different schools. In ‘04-‘05, there were 23 girls studying in three different schools, including Bangui, the nations’ capitol. One girl had graduated and was continuing her education in Benin.

You can support a girl for a year! The costs break down like this:

Technical Girl's School of Maigaro: $250 per student per year
Bangui High School: $600 per student per year

Giving to the scholarship fund will help families with little means to provide their daughters with a quality education and will keep Central African girls in school. Girls who can’t go to school run a greater risk of early marriage, unwanted pregnancy, or AIDS. We are also helping to invest in the future of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the C.A.R. by training tomorrow’s church leaders and by encouraging the development of Central African society through education.

Donations should be sent to the Synod Office (1703 32nd Ave. S., Fargo, ND 58103) and clearly be marked "C.A.R. Girls Scholarships."

Synod Education

Several people from our synod have visited the C.A.R. and several missionary families are now living in the Fargo area. They are willing to come and speak to your congregation to share first-hand experiences of life in the C.A.R.. To schedule a speaker, please contact the synod office (701-232-3381).

The synod resource center also has videos and other information about the C.A.R., which are available free of charge.

Download the C.A.R. Village Education, Girl's High School and Church Roof Project Fact Sheets (download .pdf file) to share with your congregation.

Click here to learn about other ministries happening in the Central African Republic