Olga Salama, a first-year biology major who came to the United States through refugee status, grew up in Burundi, East Africa, where access to affordable health care and education was limited. It鈥檚 also where she found her passion and her purpose.

The oldest of eight, she would take her younger siblings to school. One day, as she dropped off the tuition check to pay for their education, she overheard a mother asking whether her child, who had an intellectual disability, could attend classes with the other children.

鈥淪he was denied,鈥� said Salama. 鈥淪he was told, 鈥楾his would be too difficult, and that little child would be too difficult for the other children.鈥欌��

鈥淚 kind of understood it,鈥� she added, noting that many cultures in Africa lack support for people with disabilities. 鈥淏ut, for me, that didn鈥檛 seem right.鈥�

That experience drew her to study biology and fuels her passion for improving the lives of others. Her dream is to graduate from medical school and become a pediatrician.

鈥淲hen you save the life of a child, you save the future,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen a child is surrounded by good people, that affects how they grow.鈥�

Salama and her family arrived in the U.S. in July 2021. At the time, she spoke Swahili and French, but no English. She quickly became a rising star at Charlottesville High School, where she received the top scholarship from the . Past recipients include Sandra Day O’Connor and Caroline Kennedy. 

As a high school senior, the first-generation college student applied to nine schools. Each of them could guide her toward her passion. Each of them offered her substantial financial aid packages. But, only one of those schools had values that matched her own, and that was 黑料正能量. 

鈥淢y high school counselors told me I could go anywhere I wanted, because I had all this scholarship support,鈥� said Salama. 鈥淚 had to choose where I saw myself thriving and being impacted the most, and 黑料正能量 was that place for me.鈥�

She said she was struck by how friendly and communicative everyone was at 黑料正能量, from her admissions counselor and professors to fellow students. 鈥淧eople are there for you,鈥� she said. 鈥淓veryone鈥檚 welcoming.鈥�

She added that, out of the nine schools she applied to, only one of them, 黑料正能量, sent her a card for her birthday. 鈥淭hat was different, and was beyond my expectations,鈥� Salama said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the sign of a place that cares.鈥�

Like the 100% of undergraduate students at 黑料正能量 who receive financial aid, Salama is the recipient of numerous awards, including the highly selective President鈥檚 Scholarship. 

鈥淚 knew I wanted to go to college and, although I had a little bit of fear about the financial part, I trusted that God was going to provide,鈥� said Salama. 鈥淚f he called me to do this, then he will provide.鈥�

Your support helps students like Olga pursue a quality college education without financial barriers. Join us for the 10th annual Lov黑料正能量 Giving Day and contribute to the scholarships that empower future 黑料正能量 students. On April 1, let鈥檚 show that our generosity knows no bounds鈥or the record!