An awards ceremony for the seven 2009 recipients of the Margaret McNamara Memorial Fund (MMMF) scholarships for students from Africa, who are attending either the University of Pretoria or the University of Cape Town, was held at the World Bank in Pretoria on February 18, 2009.

Each of the seven recipients was awarded a $4000 grant for graduate study, representing a decision by the MMMF Board to increase the number and value of the grants beyond the two grants of $2500 made in 2007. Successful applicants were from Cameroon, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe who are currently studying in South Africa.

Elna van Greuning, Co-Chair of the MMMF/OSPAF Scholarship Committee and selection panel in Washington, read a greeting letter from MMMF Board President Caroline Berney to the honorees. Dirk Reinermann, Acting Country Manager of the Pretoria World Bank Office, welcomed the officials and volunteers from the World Bank country office in South Africa and expressed his sincere congratulations to the deserving women on behalf of Ruth Kagia, the current Country Director. Another honored guest was Ms. Jeanne Goosen, of the University of Pretoria, who was thanked for her many efforts on behalf of the MMMF by Melanie Jaya, staff member and Chairperson of the MMMF/OSPAF Scholarship Committee in Africa.

The ceremony featured an inspirational address by Professor Sibusiso Vil-Nkomo, Executive Director at the University of Pretoria, who spoke about his efforts to empower young people across Africa.

Recipients were selected during an extensive application process, involving a partnership between volunteer application readers and reviewers both in Washington at WBFN and in South Africa at the World Bank Pretoria office. Their dedication has helped make further graduate study available to these women, who are studying to become leaders in fields which improve lives of women and children in their home countries. WBFN members can help with this scholarship program by volunteering or shopping at the MMMF Fair, its major fundraiser, held each Fall in Washington,

Applications for the academic year 2010 will be available online at the MMMF website, www.mmmf-grants.org beginning June 1, 2009. Criteria for the scholarships are listed on the MMMF website as well as information on all prior recipients and their fields of study.

Sarah Brau, Elna van Greuning, and Nalinie Kouame