Stutterheim STEM Bursary Fund

Many academically capable students from rural towns and villages in the Eastern Cape face significant barriers in furthering their education due to limited access to full funding and support. This challenge often prevents them from pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields, despite their potential. Recognizing this gap, Karien Botha, an Engineering graduate from Stellenbosch University, founded the Stutterheim STEM Bursary Fund in 2021. Karien, who grew up in the rural Eastern Cape herself, understood firsthand the obstacles students, particularly young women, face in accessing higher education. The fund is specifically designed to support students who completed their schooling at Stutterheim High School or any rural village in the Eastern Cape and wish to pursue Engineering or Science-related degrees at Stellenbosch University. The fund aims to remove financial barriers that often prevent these talented students from taking their rightful place in academia. By providing funding, it ensures that rural students can focus on their studies without the burden of financial stress. In 2024, the initiative gained further momentum when Roxine Staats, a Science graduate also from Stellenbosch University and the Eastern Cape, became involved. Deeply moved by the cause, Roxine reached out to Karien, and together they have committed to expanding the fund’s reach and impact. Their shared vision is to create more opportunities for rural students—especially young women—to succeed in STEM fields. The Stutterheim STEM Bursary Fund is open to donors who want to make a lasting difference in the lives of rural students from the Eastern Cape. By supporting this initiative, donors can help empower the next generation of scientists and engineers, ensuring that talent and ambition are not limited by geography or financial hardship. Every contribution to the Stutterheim STEM Bursary Fund helps transform lives, fostering a future where rural students have the opportunity to thrive in academia and beyond.