Luther student wins $10,000 grant

Luther College student Isilda Hulilapi from Luanda, Angola, has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Davis Projects for Peace to create an early education program for war orphans in her homeland.

Hulilapi, a junior who is majoring in mathematics and computer science, will travel this summer to Luanda, the capital and largest city of Angola, to convert spaces at the Lar Kuzola orphanage to a learning center where children can engage in activities that will give them self-confidence and inspire them to learn. Activities will include games, music, storytelling, dancing, painting and drawing.

The Davis Projects for Peace program is made possible by Kathryn Wasserman Davis, an accomplished internationalist and philanthropist who established the program in 2007.  Her current commitment of nearly $1.25 million will fund more than 100 new peace projects. Mrs. Davis is the mother of Shelby M.C. Davis who funds the Davis United World Colleges Scholars Program.

Hulilapi's peace project will provide the materials necessary for the learning activities, including art and craft supplies, storybooks, sports equipment and musical instruments.  She said her project could provide opportunity for the impoverished orphans of Lar Kuzola to take the first steps toward education and socialization that can change their lives.                                                                    .