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GDP Scholarship Program · Kenya & East Africa
Turning impossible dreams into degrees.
The Evelyn S. Weatherspoon Scholarship Fund
GDP’s scholarship fund supports academically gifted young adults from Kenya’s children’s homes — paying full tuition for those who have been accepted into accredited trade schools, colleges, or universities.
85%+ graduate high school
$1,250 per student per year
Named scholarships available
Fund a scholarship → About the fund
GDP scholarship recipients — young adults who once called Kenya’s children’s homes their home
85%+
of GDP home graduates
complete high school
8%
of sub-Saharan youth
access higher education (UNESCO)
$1,250
average annual tuition
per scholarship student
35+
years GDP has opened
doors for Kenya’s children

The woman behind the fund

Named for a woman who believed in every child.
The Evelyn S. Weatherspoon Scholarship Fund carries the name and spirit of an extraordinary educator — and the personal story behind GDP’s commitment to education.
Evelyn S. Weatherspoon Scholarship Fund EVELYN S. WEATHERSPOON SCHOLARSHIP FUND “Every page, a new beginning.” GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT · KENYA
Evelyn S. Weatherspoon
Beloved educator · Passed at age 56

Evelyn Weatherspoon was a dedicated African-American educator who passionately believed in the potential of every child she encountered. She inspired countless students to recognize their unique gifts and talents, encouraging them to dream boldly and believe in their ability to achieve those dreams.

Her unwavering commitment to education and empowerment continued until her untimely passing from cancer at age 56. Evelyn was not only a beloved teacher — she was the mother of GDP’s co-founder Michael Wright. She is the very person who inspired him to carry forward her legacy of inspiring others.

Each year, numerous young adults raised in GDP’s partner children’s homes flourish within the nurturing environment created for them. Not only do they thrive socially, but they also achieve remarkable success academically — with over 85% graduating high school. These gifted individuals often develop a strong desire to pursue higher education — a dream that once seemed out of reach.

To ensure these dreams become reality, GDP established the Evelyn S. Weatherspoon Scholarship Fund — carrying her belief that every child has unique potential, and ensuring that belief becomes a degree.

She inspired me to carry forward her legacy of inspiring others. This scholarship is her gift — still changing lives.
— Michael Wright, Co-founder · Global Development Project

The education gap

The world GDP's scholars are up against — and what GDP does about it
The gap between a high school diploma and a university degree is one of the most consequential barriers in East Africa. GDP closes it — one scholarship at a time.

East Africa’s higher education crisis

UNESCO reports that only 8% of sub-Saharan African youth access tertiary education — far below the global average. For young adults from children’s homes, the financial barrier is the single biggest obstacle between their talent and their potential. GDP removes it.

8%
Sub-Saharan Africa tertiary ratevs. the global average of 40%+ (UNESCO)
85%+
GDP partner home graduatesfinish high school and are ready for higher education
$1,250
Average annual tuition— the only barrier between a student and their degree

How it works

From the children's home to a university degree
The Evelyn S. Weatherspoon Scholarship Fund is rigorous and merit-based — because every student who receives it has genuinely earned it.
1
Excel academically
Students demonstrate outstanding academic achievement within GDP’s partner children’s homes — excelling beyond expectations and developing a strong desire to pursue higher education.
2
Gain acceptance
Students gain acceptance into an accredited trade school or institution of higher learning approved by GDP’s Board of Advisors — demonstrating genuine readiness for advanced study.
3
Receive full tuition
Selected students receive full tuition coverage for each year they remain in good academic standing — removing the financial barrier that would otherwise end their education.
4
Transform a future
Graduates enter careers, contribute to their communities, and often give back to GDP’s programs — becoming living proof that investment in one life multiplies across many.
Eligibility
Who receives the Evelyn S. Weatherspoon Scholarship
The scholarship supports young adults who have grown up in GDP’s partner children’s homes in Kenya, demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, graduated high school, and been accepted into an accredited trade school, college, or university approved by GDP’s Board of Advisors.
These are bright, gifted, and talented individuals whose dreams of higher education once seemed completely out of reach. The scholarship makes those dreams real — fully funding tuition for each year the student remains in good academic standing.

Fund a scholarship

Three ways to invest in a student's future
Every scholarship gift directly funds tuition for a young adult from GDP’s partner children’s homes — a student who has earned their place but cannot afford the door.
Annual sponsorship
$1,250
per student, per year
Fund one full year of tuition for one scholarship recipient — covering their trade school, college, or university costs for an entire academic year while they remain in good academic standing.
Sponsor one student for a year →
Named scholarship · Honor someone special
$5,000
full 4-year scholarship
Sponsor a complete four-year scholarship for one student — and name it in honor of someone special in your life. A named scholarship creates a permanent, living legacy in the name of a person you love.
Create a named scholarship →
Most impact
$12,500
10 students for one year
Fully fund scholarships for 10 deserving students for an entire year — transforming ten lives simultaneously and creating a cohort of young professionals who will shape Kenya’s future.
Fund 10 students →

By investing in these scholarships, you directly empower young adults to pursue higher education and unlock a future filled with opportunity.

— GDP Scholarship Program · Kenya, 2025

By investing in the Evelyn S. Weatherspoon Scholarship Fund, you lift vulnerable young Kenyans out of disadvantage – and into a future where their potential becomes East Africa’s greatest strength.

— GDP Scholarship Program · Kenya, 2025

$1,250. One student. One year. One future changed forever.

Candid Platinum 2026 · 100% of gifts reach Kenya · Tax-deductible 501(c)(3)
Fund a scholarship now →

Related programs

The scholarship builds on GDP's wider children's mission
The scholarship recipients are graduates of GDP’s partner children’s homes — young adults who have grown up within GDP’s care and are ready to take their next step.
Where scholars come from
Children in Care — GDP’s Partner Homes
Every Weatherspoon Scholarship recipient has grown up in one of GDP’s partner children’s homes in Kenya — where 590+ children are served daily with food, education, clean water, and love.
Explore children’s homes →
Full program details
GDP Scholarship — Full Program Page
The GDP Scholarship page contains the full program overview, UNESCO data on East Africa’s education gap, and additional information about how the Evelyn S. Weatherspoon fund changes lives.
Visit the scholarship program page →
Take action
Donate — Fund a Scholarship Today
$1,250 funds one student for one year. $5,000 funds a named 4-year scholarship. $12,500 funds 10 students. Every gift goes directly to program costs in Kenya — Candid Platinum 2026 verified.
Give to the scholarship fund →