What do the ‘must-climb routes’ on bucket lists of three hiking enthusiasts have to do with providing bursaries for underprivileged NUS students? The self-styled ‘Hiking Divas’, Ms Jennifer Tay, Ms Leong Meijun and Ms Ho Li Fung, managed to link the two.
In July 2024, they turned their quest to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania into a fundraiser, and raised S$130,000 for the NUS Enhanced Financial Aid Scheme (EFAS) through their expedition. Their initiative aims to establish the Uhuru Bursary, named after the Swahili word for ‘freedom’.
It all started off as the trio’s post-pandemic dream of scaling Mount Kinabalu in Sabah, Malaysia. After summitting it in June 2023, they set their sights higher: Kilimanjaro. Nearly 1,800 metres taller than Kinabalu, this next challenge required rigorous training.
It was during one of these training sessions that inspiration struck: “Why not put our training and trekking efforts productively to raise funds for charity?” recalled Ms Ho.
Scaling new heights with heart, the Hiking Divas turned their quest to climb Mount Kilimanjaro into a meaningful cause, raising funds for financially needy NUS students. From left to right: Ms Ho Li Fung, Ms Jennifer Tay and Ms Leong Meijun.
Feeling grateful for the opportunities they’ve had, and with a strong belief in the transformative power of education and its ability to narrow social inequalities, the three ladies, who are all NUS staff members, decided to give back. “We reached out to the Development Office, and after discovering that the University supports at least 3,000 financially needy students each year, we knew we’d found a meaningful cause in EFAS that aligned with our fundraising objectives,” shared Ms Leong.
For Ms Ho and Ms Leong, who both currently work at the NUS Investment Office, this is a cause close to their hearts. Ms Leong had relied on bursaries throughout her education, while Ms Ho, a former ASEAN Scholarship recipient, credits the award as a “major inflection point” in her life. Grateful for the help they have received, the trio wanted to give back and empower the next generation. Their goal is simple: to ensure that no student abandons higher education due to financial strain. They were joined in this aim by Ms Tay, who is an Associate General Counsel at the NUS Office of Legal Affairs.
The Uhuru Legacy
The Hiking Divas believe in the transformative power of education. They hope that recipients of the Uhuru Bursary will be free to chase their own dreams and pay it forward in the future.
The Bursary’s name carries dual symbolism. The word ‘uhuru’ not only refers to Kilimanjaro’s summit but also embodies the trio’s hope for bursary recipients to be free to pursue higher education and follow their dreams. They aim to create an endowed fund, ensuring perpetual support for generations of students. “An endowed fund would benefit students for generations to come, beyond any of our lifetimes,” they emphasised.
With approximately S$20,000 left to raise raise for the endowed fund, the Hiking Divas urge the NUS community to join them. “Supporting this cause is not just a charitable act; it’s an investment in the future,” said Ms Tay.
Their message to bursary recipients: “Believe in your abilities. When you have the opportunity, pay it forward.” The Hiking Divas are certainly walking the talk with their own hiking and fundraising challenge, and proving that philanthropy can be sparked in any way and anywhere—even on a mountain trail.
You don't have to climb a mountain to make a monumental difference to students in need. Take your first step to impact when you make a gift to support the Uhuru Bursary.
