Completing secondary school is a major achievement for students in mining communities and, for most, it’s where their education stops. Our goal is to make it only the beginning! College, university, and vocational programs open the door to specialized skills, higher earnings, and long-term career stability. Yet the cost of attending these programs puts them far out of reach for almost all Tanzanian families.
Gem Legacy’s College Scholarship Program ensures that students with the talent and drive to continue their education have the opportunity to keep going, making higher education a reality instead of a dream.
A college scholarship does more than pay tuition — it is holistic support and guidance to launch youth into a thriving career. Culturally, Tanzanians see work simply as a job, a source of income. We love debunking this: work can be fulfilling too!
Higher education and/or technical training gives students the tools to:
Tuition, fees, housing, transportation, and supplies create a financial barrier that students and their families cannot overcome on their own – this is why only 2% of Tanzanians attend college.
When these costs are covered, students move from hoping for a career into building one.
Gem Legacy’s now-under-construction Campus in Arusha will significantly expand access to higher-level training — especially in gemology and gemstone faceting. It will provide:
The campus will allow more students to receive specialized, industry-recognized training at a fraction of the traditional cost — creating a direct pipeline from secondary school → vocational training → meaningful careers.
College scholarships will continue to house and support students enrolled in external programs, preparing them holistically for their first jobs and successful careers through mentoring, interview preparation, tutoring, and more.
College and vocational scholarships support:
By equipping students with higher-level skills, these scholarships strengthen both the gemstone sector and the economies of the broader gem-mining communities.
A better future starts with a single act of kindness. When you give, you help miners work safely, help students stay in school, and help families build stronger, more stable futures. Stand with the people at the heart of gem mining—your gift can change what’s possible.
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