Learn Who We Are
From the Founder/Director: Dr. Rebecca Kruisselbrink
Kusomesa was founded with a simple belief: education should be within reach for anyone who seeks it. Our motto, “Empowering through Education,” guides everything we do. Through financial support, mentorship, and networking, we seek to create equal educational opportunities for qualified individuals at a post secondary level regardless of geographical location, demographics, or field of study.
The concept of Kusomesa was born in 2008, during my first medical outreach trip to rural Ghana. I was struck by the transformative power of basic public health measures and the impact of local providers on the welfare of those they served. Most impressive was the deep hunger for learning and the appreciation for educational opportunities that I saw among students, teachers, and healthcare providers. I returned to Ghana nearly annually over the next 15 years, forging lasting friendships. Daniel was one such friend. When I met him, he was one of the drivers for the NGO with whom I was working. He dreamed of becoming a laboratory technician but lacked the means to pay his school fees. I decided to support his education. He completed not only the coveted laboratory technician training, but ultimately a masters degree. He is now pursuing a PhD, and was able to utilize his training to assist with COVID-19 diagnoses during the pandemic.
Daniel's journey illustrates Kusomesa's mission: to bridge the gap between ability and opportunity for students who qualify academically but lack financial means for post secondary studies. In doing so, we seek to unlock opportunities that change lives for generations.
I've had the privilege of travelling to African countries on a number of occasions, working in health-related fields. I have learned that my greatest impact abroad often comes through teaching, helping to equip dedicated medical professionals with the knowledge to improve patient care in their home hospitals, villages, and countries.
Kusomesa's vision is to provide these opportunities for all students: empower them with education, so they can transform their communities from within.
What We Do
Transparency from the beginning and onward.
Combined Support
Donations are pooled to create a strong, collective fund, maximizing opportunities for support.
Identify Students
With the help of our local international partners, we identify secondary school graduates and qualified adults who have qualified for tertiary studies but lack financial means to enroll. Candidates submit a detailed application and go through our internal review process.
Covering Costs
Kusomesa provides semester-based tuition fees and support for essential educational costs for qualified students. After proof of enrollment, funds are sent directly to the relevant educational institution.
Ongoing Support
We closely monitor each student’s academic progress, semester by semester, throughout their studies.
Beyond Graduation
Our commitment doesn’t end at graduation. We continue to check in with alumni as they build their careers.
Keep Donors Connected
Donors stay updated through our semi-annual newsletters and social media channels.
FAQs
If you have any additional questions or wish to reach out to our office, please do so at info@kusomesa.org. We'd be happy to hear from you.
What makes Kusomesa unique?
Most educational sponsorship programs focus on primary and secondary school students, allowing children to achieve the equivalent of a high school education. Many of these programs include items such as meals, uniforms, and other fundamentals and are highly beneficial to children around the world.
These programs are typically limited to specific regions or schools and may not have the infrastructure to allow sponsorship to continue beyond secondary school, or to follow up with graduates after exiting the sponsorship program. Kusomesa - as a concept - is based in part on lived experience participating in child sponsorship with several global organizations.
Our focus, however, is unique. We seek to make post secondary education possible for students who have completed most or all of their high school education (either O-levels or A-levels) and have qualified to apply for further education. The associated complexity is immediately apparent: students apply to a variety of programs at a variety of schools; thus tuition and fees are not uniform. Acceptance is not guaranteed in post secondary studies, but once a student IS accepted, fees must be available within a very short time frame or the coveted program admission is forfeited. This time sensitivity factor is not insignificant. In many countries, support for post secondary education can be accessed through loans, government programs, or other subsidies. These opportunities are quite limited for the average student in the countries where we work.
Support for post secondary students makes Kusomesa unique in other ways. Our students are typically enrolled in three or four year programs, allowing us to see results and celebrate graduations sooner than in other sponsorship programs. We also have the opportunity of following up with our graduates, or alumni, as they enter the workforce or go on to even higher education.
Why did we choose Ghana and Uganda to start our mission?
Ghana and Uganda are the first two African countries that our Executive Director travelled to as a medical trainee, witnessing first hand the impact of empowerment through education. Vital to our operations is a strong relationship with our local partners - a recognized charity with parallel objectives to ours, registered in the country in which our students are going to school. Relationships forged within Ghana and Uganda during those initial travels allowed Kusomesa to solidify the necessary partnerships efficiently and effectively.
We dream of expanding our educational support opportunities as the charity grows in scope, and are actively seeking partnerships in other countries - Africa and beyond.
How are chosen applicants selected?
Applicants are required to have achieved acceptance into a post-secondary program of their choice. They must be able to demonstrate financial need, including the steps they have taken to exhaust any other financial means available to them. Successful applicants must also provide proof of consistent academic success in prior studies.
Kusomesa prioritizes individuals who are mature, insightful and demonstrate leadership qualities, and a commitment to put their education to use for the benefit of others and their communities.
Applications are reviewed to ensure the necessary criteria are met. This is completed by both the in-country agent as well as by our Operations Officer and Directors of the Board. Information provided by the student is confirmed with the assistance of in-country partners, and references where necessary. Only after these steps are completed is the student accepted and tuition payment initiated.
What does "Kusomesa" mean?
Our Charity's name and logo pays homage to the countries in which our work started.
Kusomesa is a Lugandan word meaning “To Educate”. Lugandan is one of the major languages spoken in Uganda.
The symbol in place of the O is a Ghanian adinkra symbol: Gye Nyame.
How is our charity structured?
Our charity is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors, currently composed of four directors who provide strategic oversight and governance. Day-to-day operations are managed by our Chief Operating Officer (COO), who oversees all aspects of program delivery, administration, and organizational development.
We are passionate about engaging volunteers who are eager to learn and contribute to various projects and initiatives. Volunteers play a vital role in expanding our impact and supporting our mission.
Importantly, 100% of our operational and overhead costs are covered by a singular donor, allowing us to ensure that every other donation received goes directly to supporting students and causes in the countries we are serving, currently Ghana and Uganda. This structure enables us to maximize the effectiveness of your contributions and maintain transparency in our financial stewardship.
Other questions? Get in touch!
