Applications for 2018 scholarships are now open to applicants entering or continuing a post-secondary program or post-graduate program at an accredited college or university (or equivalent) in 2018, in Canada. To receive the scholarship, applicants must be residing in Canada and priorities will be given to vocational and technical programs. To review the requirements and apply, click here.

Skills For Hope Foundation Scholarships awarded to fourteen individuals at educational institutions in British Columbia, Canada for September 2017. The Skills For Hope Foundation Scholarship Program expanded in 2017 – 2018 in honour of Canada’s 150th. The next application process will open in early 2018. Find out about our recipients.

In honor of Canada’s 150th birthday, Skills For Hope Foundation has expanded its Scholarship Program for the year 2017 – 2018. For further details, go to its website page: Scholarships > Scholarship Programs

Many have contacted us asking: What is the IELTS? What are the CAEL and CELPIP?

Briefly:

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a test that measures the language proficiency of people who want to study or work in environments where English is used as a language of communication. Specific scores are required for employment purposes, entry into academic and vocational institutions and for immigration purposes. IELTS is available in two test formats – Academic or General Training – comprises of four language skills: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Top Six Quick Listening Tips for candidates taking the IELTS:

1. You may not hear the same words exactly as you see on the question paper
2. You should also listen for paraphrases
3. If you miss an answer go on to the next one
4. Remember the questions are in the same order as the information you will
   hear in the recording
5. Check the word limit given and stick to it
6. Check your spelling at the end

Skills For Hope has been working on initiating, assisting and supporting more educational skills development programs in Canada. Discussions are taking place with some Canadian registered charity organizations to see where and how Skills For Hope can assist, and of course, meet its primary goal of making a positive and constructive impact on the lives of those in need. Watch this space!

From an educators point of view, the He for She campaign launched by the UN Women’s organization and highlighted by Emma Watson, [click here to watch the video] is a great initiative. This is because it raises awareness of the crucial role that males can play in increasing educational opportunities for females. In my teaching experience, I have noted that when fathers, brothers uncles or granddads, actively support the educational endeavors of the girls in their families, it generates academic success.

Even while teaching English as a Second Language to girls in need, in the virtual classroom, I have noted that the assistance of the father or the brother is very valuable. The brother who will take and wait for his sister outside the centre’s classroom, so that she can safely attend the classes; or the father who will discreetly bring his work computer home so that his daughter can access the online lessons, are just a couple of examples from a list of many. Perhaps, we should now take this campaign further, and discuss how it can be translated into relevant practical strategies that can be implemented by males to support the education of girls and women. This would result in a positive impact on the educational opportunities for females and their academic success, which in turn would move forward the mandate of equal opportunities for females, in the wider arena.

Skills For Hope was happy to partner again with SOS BC Canada and assist Jason, a member of the Village. Jason was accepted into University and due to his vision related issues, desperately needed a laptop with special features. So SFH responded to SOS’s call and donated a laptop with warranty. All at SFH also wish Jason every success in his future studies. Thank you to Sayed Tejani and Aleena Punjani for their efforts in this project.

Skills for Hope donated 25 desktop computers and 5 UPS’s at a Boys Hostel/Home in Uttar Pradesh, India, because the hostel had lacked IT resources. The hostel is home to about 143 boys who are happy and well cared for by the staff. The computers will have a strong positive impact for many years on the boys’ development of skills and their future.

Sayed Tejani and Rafael Wood adopted Sports Skills at the Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC. Sports equipment ranging from hockey nets to dodge balls were donated and presented to the kids and the team. The BGC is a valued charitable organization that provides many different services and programs that help youths in the community. The kids were so excited and could not wait to start using the equipment. A huge thank you to Sayed and Rafael for their time and efforts. Also a big thank you to Marcie, the Director of Resource Development at the BGC of South Coast BC for collaborating with us!