In 2013, at age 13, Ishmael Gabbidon received a UDS scholarship and remained until he graduated high school (2021). In 2016, he participated in our free computer course and quickly grasped what he had learned. His computer skills led to employment and a self-supported college education. He had a promising future until he died unexpectedly in March 2024. Read more about Ishmael.

Uniting Distant Stars wants to honor his memory by providing scholarships for UDS academic students to attend a two-year vocational program. Ishmael seized every opportunity we offered with academics and vocational training. We want to memorialize his legacy by supporting young people on their quest for self-sufficiency.

Uniting Distant Stars Academy Students can apply for the scholarship and must meet the following selection criteria:

GPA is equal to or greater than 80.
Minimum age is 13.
Maintains good attendance for academics.
Consistently displays good behavior.

With your generous support, we aim to raise $5,000 for 40 students as follows:

20 students at $100 each ($2,000) to learn non-tech courses: catering, computers, cosmetology, event decoration, or tailoring.
20 students at $150 each ($3,000) to learn tech courses: computers, electrician, plumbing, or satellite dish/solar installation.

You can donate any amount to fun this scholarship or choose one of the options:

$20 partial scholarship
$50 half non-tech course scholarship
$75 half tech course scholarship
$100 full non-tech course scholarship
$150 full tech course scholarship

You can double your impact with our $1,000 matching grant, and your employer if they have an employee matching program. Check with your employer's human resource department for more information.

This is a very worthy organization that started not too long ago with a goal of providing education and vocational training to students who really want to lift themselves from poverty. Kelvin Fomba, the co-founder is the hands- on resourceful expert in Liberia who has developed and teaches courses himself. The other co-founder, Heather Cannon was a neighbor to my son and I have met her. This organization is her passion. Heather and Kelvin started from scratch to lift others by teaching and training them. And these students want to learn. This organization is worthy of your help.

Dorothy Bertch

Click the links below some current academic-vocational scholarship students student pics to watch them share why they love this program:

https://youtube.com/shorts/5dTzb6Vj8jQ?si=JopDwKE8jcOLR6xH

https://youtube.com/shorts/8fEhOASOiY0?si=XoyOp3-3wZHndevL

https://youtube.com/shorts/IJo4XuoIPb0?si=W0q5XrOZE4BlW78u

2024 Year-End Campaign

By UNITING DISTANT STARS INC

2024 Year-End Campaign

Help Fund the Ishmael Gabbidon Memorial Scholarship

Team Members