McConnell Scholar starts scholarship fund for students in Zimbabwe
Dennis Mashindi ('21)
McConnell Scholar Dennis Mashindi (’21) has started a scholarship program to give back to his home village in rural Zimbabwe. Called the SPORA Scholars Program, his goal is to help African youth receive robust learning experiences.
In 2018, Mashindi had the opportunity through the University of Louisville to visit Zimbabwe to work on developmental projects. While there, he became inspired to do more.
Starting with his own funds, Mashindi began sponsoring individual children to pay for their school fees and lessons. He has since raised over $800 with the help of friends and supporters.
“Similar to Senator McConnell’s goals for McConnell Scholars, the end goal of the SPORA Scholars Program is to help village youth leave home to get an education and then eventually come back and put what they’ve learned to good use,” Mashindi said.
For more information or to support Mashindi's SPORA Scholars Program, visit https://gofund.me/f1da7ae0.
Mashindi studies biology and political science at UofL. He intends to pursue a master’s degree in public health before attending medical school.