Each year, SOT awards scholarships to children and adolescents to be applied toward education. Our need-based scholarships are holistic and cover tuition and fees, transportation, childcare costs for siblings, tutoring, and funding for extracurriculars. We are proud to introduce a few of our current recipients:
1) Andrei, 13
Andrei, rightmost in the photo above, is from Chisinau, Moldova. Andrei dreams of becoming an IT engineer and looks forward to using technology to change the world. He starts his mornings by tinkering with robots, training them to pass fruit to his younger siblings or to solve a Rubik's Cube. For his school and community, he has built energy-efficient robots that accomplish tasks like turning lights on and off. Additionally, Andrei participates in Roboclub, an educational initiative that brings robotics to over 4,000 students in over 50 urban and rural communities.
With the scholarship, childcare costs for Andrei's youngest siblings are covered. Andrei's father works abroad in Italy, sending money back to the family when possible. Additionally, the scholarship covers supplies for Andrei's robotic projects, so that he can build and program robots.
2) Cristian, 5
Cristian lives in RuseÅŸtii Noi, a small rural village in Moldova. His village is dusty, and he lives in a dark and small abode with his paternal grandmother. Both of his parents have migrated out of the country for labor; he talks to them on Skype when possible. His condition is similar to many Moldovan children in rural areas, where children are left to grow up alone as their parents seek job prospects throughout Europe. Cristian loves playing soccer and looks forward to Christmases, the only time of the year where he might see one or both of his parents.
With the scholarship, Cristian is able to afford attending primary school, as the nearest school is quite a distance. Cristian receives a meal stipend for both he and his grandmother. Additionally, the scholarship helps Cristian play soccer; he has received a new soccer ball and other equipment.
3) Michaela, 17
Michaela (front right), lives in CosteÅŸti, a village with many homes in poor condition and stray dogs rummaging through scraps. Michaela's father left for Israel eight years ago, and has only returned home once. Michaela remembers him reading fairytales to her at bedtime before he left; they now talk about how school is going through Skype. Michaela's older brother acts as a father figure in the interim.
With the scholarship, Michaela will be able to afford to attend the university she has chosen. Furthermore, her scholarship is enough to bring her father home, as his primary need for working abroad is to provide for his children's educations.
With your support, we can continue to fund education for more children. Please consider making a donation; any amount helps! Last year, our donors raised more than $30,000.