A Bridge of Kindness: Families Come Full Circle Thanks to Fund-a-Flight Supporters
By UWCSEA Foundation and Sean Gerard, UWCSEA Communications Team
25 February 2026
The success of the UWCSEA Scholarship Programme rests on the belief that education, diversity, and peace are inextricably linked. The Fund-a-Flight campaign is a tangible demonstration of this belief in action. The kindness of donors is the bridge that enables a mother, father, or sibling to cross continents and be there alongside their graduate. And when they finally grasp the scale, spirit, and community that has changed the course of their lives during Graduation, the UWCSEA experience comes full circle for their family.
Last May 2025, six of the 47 scholars supported by Fund-a-Flight donors shared their unforgettable experiences and joy. At that moment, their UWCSEA experience became a shared family story, and with gratitude and pride, they felt one with our community. Thank you to our donors for your unwavering generosity. You are the reason these stories and these lifelong memories are possible.
You can help scholars from the Class of 2026 graduate with a loved one this May.
The Students' Perspective
For Blessing Masanga from Tanzania, the presence of her mother marked a significant milestone.
That vision kept me going through the hardest moments. To finally reach this point with my mum beside me, cheering me on, feels like everything coming full circle. It’s the moment I’ve been waiting for my whole life.
For Jeff Munkondya from Zambia, the experience was a double blessing for his mother.
It gave her the chance to travel out of the country for the first time and truly see what I have been going through here at UWCSEA.
For David Giron Morataya from Guatemala, seeing his mother was a connection to everyone back home.
I cannot express the happiness I felt when I looked at her and saw a reflection of my entire family.
Ling Seiiy Lin Gift from Uganda felt Graduation was complete.
For two years, I shared stories and pictures with my family, but it wasn’t until graduation that they could truly grasp the scale and spirit of UWCSEA.
The arrival of parents for Eugenia Dos Santos Da Costa Oliveira from Timor Leste felt like a miracle.
It was just a dream we once talked about. I was happy, emotional, proud the first time I saw them walking from the arrival hall, thinking 'We made it.' The UWCSEA community made it happen.
Mananarivo Harimbola Michel Ramilison from Madagascar captured the deeply personal connection.
Her presence made everything feel more real, more grounded, and so much more emotional.
The Parents' Perspective
Fund-a-Flight doesn't just bring scholar families to the ceremony; it brings them into the world their child has embraced for two years. The impressions of the parents reveal a profound appreciation for the environment and gratitude for the community that nurtured their children.
For Blessing’s mother, Beatrice Masanga Kasenga, the delight was not just in the ceremony but in seeing the campus
I’m even more grateful that I got to see the environment she’s been living and growing in over the past two years, and to meet the people who have become like family to her. She described the boarding house as "a real home" and UWCSEA as "a paradise... deeply united, with everyone working toward a shared purpose".
Jeff's mother, Ethel Mulenga, was filled with pride and a sense of belonging. Beyond her amazement at Singapore’s safety and cleanliness, she felt the spirit of the College. She "loved seeing how everyone cheered for each other during graduation”. It showed her that “UWCSEA is truly about community and togetherness."
For Mananarivo’s mother, Lanto Harilahatra Rasolofondrahanta Ep Ramilison, the visit was reassuring.
I was especially touched by the kindness of the boarding house staff. They treated my son with care and respect, which gave me peace of mind as a parent. I’m leaving with my heart full of gratitude.
For Seiiy Lin's mother, Jackline Atenyi Kembabazi, experiencing UWCSEA in person opened her eyes in a meaningful way. Being there allowed her to see beyond descriptions and truly understand the community, culture and possibilities the school represents.
I never imagined she was part of such a large and vibrant community. The love and support from the community were overwhelming.
David’s mother, Gilda Morataya, was deeply moved by Singapore and the UWCSEA community.
The way cultural diversity is lived here is truly inspiring, and it offered me a new perspective on life and the world. In the boarding house, love is felt in every corner; I was touched by how the students connect, forming a true family where everyone cares for, listens to, and supports each other.
You can help scholars from the Class of 2026 graduate with a loved one this May.
Messages of Profound Gratitude
These moments, shared and cherished, were made possible by your donations. The messages of thanks from scholars are tributes to the compassion of the UWCSEA community.
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You can help scholars from the Class of 2026 graduate with a loved one this May.