Mwanga Scholarships Shine Light for Students
Tal and Besty Bosin hosted a reception for all 75 current Mwangaza Scholars the last time they visited Eldoret.
For a quarter of a century, the AMPATH Mwangaza Scholarship program has served as a lifeline for Kenyan medical students who would otherwise struggle to continue their studies. “The name Mwangaza means 'light' because it's a light to their path to finish school, but it's even brighter for them to become doctors and help their families and their villages,” said Tal and Betsy Bosin who are the engine behind the scholarship program.
In 2000, 12 students — two from each year — received full scholarships funded by an initial gift from Ellie Thurston in memory of her husband Max who had come from limited financial means and attained success with the help of scholarships. More than 25% of Moi University medical students receive some type of support from the Mwangaza program.
Today, generous donors support full scholarships for 75 students. An additional 75 students hold work-study positions and over 100 draw from an emergency fund each term for needs such as medical emergencies or a death in the family. Food supplements are also distributed to needy medical students every other month.
In Kenya, students cannot sit for exams unless their school fees are paid. If a student can’t pay, they “rewind” and lose a year. In many cases, students go hungry for days so they can pay fees.
On their second visit to Eldoret in 2000, the Bosins interviewed prospective scholarship recipients. “Tal was the interrogator. I was the note taker. Tal would become teary as we heard what these students had overcome to be where they were in medical school,” recalls Betsy.
“We saw resilience, perseverance and how they overcame obstacles. It won our hearts to be relating to these medical students,” added Tal.
One of those students was Lokho Boro Elema who was born in a remote nomadic community near the Ethiopian border to a family of ten children. In her community, girls were seldom encouraged to attend school. But by tribal decree, one girl per family was allowed to go. Lokho became a top performer in her county, earned admission to Moi University School of Medicine, and was awarded a Mwangaza Scholarship to cover tuition and living costs. After graduating and completing her internship, Dr. Elema now serves as a physician in a regional hospital, caring for underserved Kenyans.
“What could be a better investment than supporting the future healthcare physicians of Kenya?” Tal asked while sharing Dr. Elema’s story during the recent Tusker Tales event.
The Bosins are still actively involved in the Mwangaza Scholarship program, but the selection and administration are in the capable hands of a team of committed Moi University staff and faculty who care deeply about the success of each student. Last January, the Bosins hosted events for the team as well as all of the current scholarship recipients to share their thanks and create more connections.
With her founding gift, Ellie Thurston wanted to give students the same opportunity that a scholarship had given her late husband, Max. She has done so for hundreds of Mwangaza scholars who have become physicians and community leaders. The Thurston family continues to stay involved carrying forward the legacy of impact both in Kenya and Indiana. They connect with Mwangaza scholarship recipients visiting Indiana for short-term training electives just as Ellie delighted in doing each year before her passing. Only the top academic performers at Moi medical school are selected to come to IU, and Mwangaza scholars are always among them.
READ MORE ABOUT ELLIE THURSTON
Over the years, more individuals and groups donated to the Mwangaza Scholarship Fund to create named scholarships including:
Edna E. Bosin Scholarship for Kenyan Medical Students
Dr. Angela N. Bowen-Boss Kenya Memorial Medical Scholarship
Dr. Carolyn Cunningham
Faculty Women’s Club Kenyan Medical Scholarship
Lenz Family Scholarship
Marty and Sue Moore
Dr. Mark Pescovitz Kenya Memorial Medical Scholarship
George and Peggy Rapp
Tom and Judy Steiner
William Vogler Kenya Memorial Scholarship
“Your support matters,” concluded Tal. “Every gift becomes a guiding light — a chance for a student to stay in school, finish their degree and return to serve their communities.”
“When donors invest, they don’t just help one student — they spark a ripple of healing across villages, counties, and the entire Kenyan health system,” added Betsy. “Your generosity to the Mwangaza Scholarship programs helps sustain this light.”