"It’s all about trying to help somebody cross."

In his 2019 Academy Award acceptance speech, American actor, writer and film producer Tyler Perry used those words to describe how his hiring, casting, and investment decisions provided opportunity for others to improve their lives – to cross an impassible street. Supporters of the COFA Scholarship Program can make that powerful message part of their lives by helping needy students cross.

Quality Christian education in a poor African township had always been a bridge too far but has become a living reality in Mhluzi South Africa the past few years after St. Peter Confessional Lutheran Church opened Bethel Preparatory School and St. Peter Christian College. That bright new reality is threatened, however, for children in families unable to pay tuition fees, a situation that has been aggrivated by the impact of COVID-19 on the South African economy.

The Scholarship Program helps children from these families cross to a life enhanced by being part of the St. Peter Christian College and Bethel Prepratory School community. Their better life helps Africa cross to being a better nation. By making these things possible, we help the world cross to being a better humankind.

Please be the strong bridge that helps others cross. You will be helping Christ carry His cross through the work of your hands.

Each of the learners that are afforded the blessing of being part of the scholarship program is unique. Special support needs, academic performance, family situation and other circumstances all played a role in their selection to the scholarship program.

Student life at St. Peter changes these students’ lives. They receive a quality Christian education, are part of a special community, and in many cases, are provided the only healthy meal they receive each day.  Mandla Khumalo always said “we do not wish to be an elitist school” and the scholarship program helps achieve his goal.

There are currently 40 students in the Scholarship Program and we are able to share the profiles of 36 of these students. As you read the profiles of these remarkable scholarship students and see their goals and aspirations, be assured each of them is saying “Thank you and bless you” and “Akwande!” which means “multiply and increase” in the native Xhosa language.

You can view these profiles using the link below.

COFA Scholarship Program

The cost of each student’s scholarship varies by grade and their family circumstances. In total, these scholarships reduce tuition revenue by more than $50,000 each year. COFA’s fundraising goal for this campaign is to raise that amount. If you would like to sponsor a single student for a month or a full year (tuition is charged all 12 months), you can use the figures below for the cost of a full scholarship (figures based on calendar year 2022 tuition schedule):

Monthly Annual

Grade R $130 $1,540

Grades 1 to 3 $185 $2,225

Grades 4 to 6 $195 $2,325

Grades 7 to 12 $205 $2,465

Bethel Preparatory School

On behalf of these children and their families, we appreciate the support you can provide. Thank you for being a strong bridge that will help these children cross to a life changing opportunity.

Should it touch you to be a bridge of hope you can donate to our scholarship fund using the button above or by sending a check (please reference “scholarship program” in the memo section) to:

Christian Outreach for Africa, 111 W. Olive Street, Arlington Heights, IL 60004