A scholarship for one student at Africa University covers tuition, housing, meals and medical care at a cost of $5,200. Support from donors can make such a difference in the lives of young African men and women.

The disparity between Africa University and its better-endowed North American counterparts points out how critical it is that we invest wisely and seek new potential donors to build up our endowment. For a relatively new institution, we've made a lot of progress, but there is still much to be done.

The benevolence of donors like this has made it possible to create an oasis of learning in a continent fractured by war, poverty, hunger, AIDS, malaria and harsh living conditions.