Due to Government’s Delay in Disbursing Funds… Sierra Leonean Students in Venezuela Protest for Scholarship Stipends
By Kelvin Jay
A group of nine Sierra Leonean medical students studying in Venezuela have staged a peaceful protest over the non-payment of their 2024–2025 scholarship stipends by the Government of Sierra Leone.
Despite having submitted all required documentation, the students report that they have yet to receive their allowances—funds that are vital for covering basic living expenses, tuition support, accommodation, visa renewal fees, and transportation costs, including travel to various hospitals for their clinical placements.
Awarded government scholarships to pursue medical studies abroad, the students now face severe financial hardship, citing the rising cost of living in Venezuela as a growing concern.
“This delay has caused us immense pain,” one of the students told Voice of Salone. “We’re struggling to survive, let alone focus on our studies.”
According to the students, the situation has become increasingly dire, with some unable to pay rent or renew immigration documents. Many are also facing difficulty commuting to their assigned hospitals for practical training, a crucial component of their medical education.
They are urgently appealing to the Government of Sierra Leone, particularly the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and the Ministry of Finance, to intervene immediately and release the outstanding funds. The students stress that failure to act promptly could further disrupt their education and threaten their overall wellbeing.
