2025 Real Life Scholarship Winners

Belvia Noudjouoto was born in the Central African Republic, where war and instability forced her family to flee to Cameroon. Living in a refugee camp for several years, she faced countless hardships, including limited access to necessities like education. Despite these challenges, her parents instilled in her a deep appreciation for learning, and she attended makeshift schools with the hope that education would open doors to a brighter future.

Life in the camp taught Belvia resilience and the importance of community. Seeing her parents' sacrifices fueled her desire to give back, especially to children facing similar hardships. When her family resettled in Salt Lake City, she had to adapt to a new culture and educational system. Though she sometimes felt out of place, she embraced every opportunity to grow and serve others.

Today, Belvia is pursuing degrees in special education and social work while balancing motherhood and two jobs. As a paraeducator at Utah International Charter School, she guides students from refugee backgrounds, supporting them through the same obstacles she once faced. She also works as a hairdresser to help provide for her family.

Belvia’s goal is to become a special education teacher or director, creating inclusive environments where every child feels valued and supported.

Rehema Jacqueline was born in Congo and raised in a Burundi refugee camp. Life in the camp was extremely difficult. Her family of thirteen had to survive on one meal a day and sometimes went days without food. Basic necessities like food, water, and medicine were scarce, and many families struggled to make ends meet. Despite these hardships, Rehema’s mother's strength kept the family together, and Rehema learned to be independent at a young age.

In 2017, Rehema’s family moved to the United States, but life didn’t get easier right away. After arriving, her mother and brother became seriously ill, and her grandfather passed away in 2019, leaving her grandmother in Africa alone. Rehema had to take care of herself and those around her by managing rent, utilities, and groceries while adjusting to life in a new country.

Through these challenges, Rehema found joy in dancing, cooking, watching movies with friends, and braiding hair. Braiding became a way for her to support herself financially while building connections with others.

Inspired by her grandfather’s wish for a family member to work in healthcare, Rehema aims to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Najmo Osman was born in Somalia but spent her early years in Ethiopia, where her family faced the struggles of war and financial hardship. In 2015, her parents made the courageous decision to immigrate to the United States, seeking safety and opportunities while continuing to support family members in Somalia, Eritrea, and Kenya. They settled in Utah, where her parents worked tirelessly to provide for their children.

Najmo began school in the third grade, quickly adapting to the American education system. By fourth grade, her English skills improved, and despite challenges with memorization, she remained dedicated to academic success. Throughout high school, she pushed herself to excel, taking pride in her achievements and love for learning.

Now, as she nears graduation, Najmo is focused on the future. She has chosen to pursue a career in midwifery, driven by her love for children and a desire to support mothers during one of life’s most important moments. Midwifery gives her a deep sense of purpose and excitement. Her goal is to serve communities with limited healthcare access, ensuring safe and healthy deliveries. Through this work, she hopes to honor her parents' sacrifices and make a meaningful difference in the world.

Shalom Shako was born in DR Congo and lived there until the age of 8, when her life was turned upside down due to war. After her father was killed and she was separated from her mother, Shalom fled with her two sisters, aunt, and cousin to Nairobi, Kenya. Life in Kenya was challenging, as her aunt, with no formal education, worked tirelessly to ensure they were safe and received an education.

Initially, Shalom attended school because it was necessary, but a turning point came during 10th grade when her English teacher, Mr. Montana, inspired her with his ability to make complex subjects understandable and enjoyable. This experience ignited Shalom’s passion for education, and she now believes that education is the key to unlocking opportunities and empowering individuals to reach their fullest potential.

Motivated by her experiences and the desire to make a positive impact, Shalom aims to become a teacher. She is driven by the belief that education can build a better, more equitable future, and she is committed to helping students from diverse backgrounds realize their potential.

Mahnaz Mohammadi was born in Takhar, Afghanistan, and moved to Kabul at age 9, where she faced the challenge of learning Persian (Dari) for school. With her father’s support, she quickly adapted, excelling academically and ranking 10th in her class within two years.

However, as the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, her education and safety were threatened. When Kabul fell, her family fled, spending days at a military base before being evacuated by plane through Bahrain, Germany, and finally the U.S., where they resettled in Utah.

Starting at Utah International Charter School in ninth grade, Mahnaz worked hard to improve her English and earned academic awards in history, biology, and group work. She dreams of becoming an ambassador, driven by her passion for politics and a desire to help displaced communities.

Despite those who doubted her, Mahnaz is determined to study political science and pursue a career in diplomacy.

Eh Tha Blay Htoo is a first-generation student at Westminster University. She is driven by a deep commitment to education and breaking cycles of poverty and illiteracy. Originally from Myanmar, Eh Tha Blay and their family lived in a refugee camp on the border of Thailand and Myanmar. Coming from a background where access to education was scarce—where most family members never advanced beyond elementary school due to war, poverty, and systemic oppression, Eh Tha Blay has developed a profound appreciation for education.

Believing that “knowledge is power,” Eh Tha Blay is determined to pursue higher education to uplift her community. She earned an associate’s degree from Salt Lake Community College in May 2024 and is now continuing her studies at Westminster. However, the journey has not been easy. Balancing academics with family responsibilities—including caring for younger siblings, cooking, and helping with bills—has presented challenges. However, she remains steadfast as she wants to serve as proof that resilience and determination can overcome the odds.

Looking ahead, Eh Tha Blay aspires to enter a Physician Assistant (PA) program, specializing in neurological disabilities. She is committed to working with minority communities, ensuring that marginalized voices are heard and valued in both healthcare and society.

Zuhael Mahmoodi is from Afghanistan. Zuhael arrived in the USA four years ago, driven by a passion to finish her education and help others. In 2021, the worsening conflict in Afghanistan forced many, including Zuhael and her family, to flee for safety. At just 15 years old, Zuhael was in 9th grade when they moved to the United States.

Despite the many adjustments—new surroundings, a different culture, language barriers, and a different education system—Zuhael found support from the IRC (International Rescue Committee), which helped with healthcare, food assistance, and school registration. The first day of school in the US was overwhelming for Zuhael, facing the challenge of limited English and not being able to communicate with teachers. However, with the kindness and patience of her teachers, Zuhael gradually improved her language skills and her academic performance.

Zuhael’s determination to pursue a nursing career stems from her desire to help those in need, especially in situations similar to what he witnessed back home, where many people suffered due to the war. Her dream is to become a nurse to provide care and support to those in pain.

Latifa Bahati’s journey began in Congo, where war forced her family into homelessness before they fled to Burundi. With her father absent, her mother worked tirelessly to support her children, but when she fell gravely ill, they had no access to medical care. That night, Latifa made a promise to become a nurse and help those in need.

Resettling in the U.S., Latifa faced the challenges of learning English and adapting to a new culture, but she remained focused on her dream. She plans to earn an associate degree in nursing (LPN) at SLCC, transfer to a four-year university for a BSN, and pass the NCLEX-RN before completing her bachelor's.

Her passion for healthcare stems from the suffering she witnessed in refugee camps, where people lacked even basic medical care. She dreams of working in a hospital, helping patients regain their health and independence.

Niyikiza Kanyange was born in Tanzania, where life was difficult, and her family struggled to meet their basic needs. As a child, she learned independence early, walking 30 minutes for water to help support her family. Moving from camp to camp, she witnessed firsthand the hardships of refugee life.

When her family was chosen to come to America, it felt like a dream come true. Arriving at night, she woke the next morning in awe of her new reality. Adjusting to school in the U.S. was challenging—she didn’t speak English and often just nodded along in class. She remembers trying pizza for the first time and wondering if she’d have to eat it forever.

Despite the challenges, she is grateful for the opportunities in America. Inspired by her past, she dreams of becoming a traveling nurse, bringing healthcare to children in need. She knows the struggles many face and wants to be a source of change and hope. Her goal is to finish high school and college, then dedicate her life to helping others through nursing.

Badru Muze was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and endured an unimaginable journey to safety. One evening, while his family was having dinner, gunfire and urgent cries to flee filled the air. Forced to escape with only what they could carry, Badru, his mother, and his siblings found themselves separated from his father. In a desperate bid for survival, they boarded an old wooden boat, leaving behind the man who had always protected them. That was the last time Badru saw his father. Their treacherous journey led them to Burundi, where they joined other refugees and received much-needed aid, marking the first step toward a new life in America.

Now a college student at Salt Lake Community College, Badru is pursuing his education with the dream of becoming a mechanical engineer. His work at Amazon has taught him valuable teamwork and communication skills, but his true passion lies in building a better future, not only for himself but for his home country. He envisions creating a for-profit or nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free educational opportunities, teaching children how to build and repair essential structures, and empowering his community with the knowledge they need to thrive.

Badru understands firsthand the barriers that poverty places on education. He is determined to return to Burundi to succeed in making positive, lasting change.

Congratulations to this year's winners!