When hard work alone is not enough.

Oliver is the third of six children. Despite being an amputee, Oliver’s father still earns a living as a tricycle driver. Oliver’s mother on the other hand does not have any work. They live on less than $1 a day and without an education vocational opportunities for Oliver would be hard to come by.

Oliver’s younger sister has finished high school but the family could not afford to send her to college.

Oliver’s family can be categorized as an informal settler as the land where their house is built is not theirs. Because of his family’s financial problems Oliver did not get the chance to enter college following his high school graduation.

His dreams are simple; to finish college and contribute to the improvement of the quality of life for his family and to help send his younger siblings to school.

Oliver is intelligent, motivated and hardworking, he just needs a helping hand to allow him to support his family, break the cycle of poverty and become a productive citizen.

Providing the framework.

As a facilitator of change we act as a matchmaker between poor but deserving students and individual or group sponsors.

Akaraka takes care of all of the mechanics of funding students, tasks such as accepting applications, obtaining school transcripts and references, checking these, evaluating applications, making payment arrangements, awarding and administering the scholarship. Together with our selected partners we have the necessary experience and framework to deliver your scholarship in a fully transparent manner.

We ensure that 100% of your sponsorship goes directly to the student, nothing is deducted along the way. AkarakA’s operating expenses are funded by donor organisations, generous individuals and corporations. Every penny from you makes it’s way directly to the student and is fastidiously tracked for maximum impact.

We provide regular updates on academic progress, extracurricular activities, special achievements and the social impact of your scholarship.

Facilitating change and empowering dreams.

As a student sponsor you are the one that makes dreams come true. You provide a long term sustainable solution to poverty and inequality and give energetic, motivated and intelligent students the chance to fulfill their potential. This not only transforms their lives but also the lives of them around them.

Once educated a successful scholar will be able to earn enough to support their entire family. They will earn enough to ensure their younger siblings will receive an education, bringing the entire family out of poverty. One scholarship has the potential to change many lives.

Such an investment is not a quick fix solution but a long term strategy to make a lasting change to the world we live in. At Akaraka we require committed individuals or groups that share our values of creating a better and more equal world for all.

Your commitment to lend your own or your organisations support to Akaraka will give you your own named scholarship program and constant updates on the progress of your chosen student.

What you provide is truly something special.

Oliver from one of the poorest areas in Manila is now currently studying  at  De La Salle - one of the  top Universities in the Philippines. In his own words:

“…I still can’t believe that I am studying in a La Salle School. To my belief before, even in my wildest dream I will not be able to study in such a school since we are not fortunate enough in terms of finances. As such, my dreams were limited. We used to say that “It is difficult to dream if your life is down in the dumps.” But somehow, I believe that “poverty is not a hindrance to achieve a better future.” That is why I really strove hard, not only for myself but also for my family. I would like to raise my family out of poverty

Before, I often pray that I would be able to continue with my studies, I would have a good job, be able to help my family, and to fulfil my dreams. And because God is so good, he answered my prayers. I was given a scholarship grant not just to an ordinary school, but to a great school that many dreamt to get in. Because of Akaraka’s help, I am able to study again. Before I was so hopeless, now, I am full of hope.”