This month, Ruskin held a competition for one lucky person to win a place on a Degree course. The prize was not only being accepted onto a course, but also to have all tuition fees paid for. This means that the competition winner, Seyram Afenyo, will have all of her £9,000 fees for a BA (hons) in Social Work course, paid for by the college.  

Below is how Seyram felt about winning the prize.  

"My initial reactions on being told that I had won the scholarship was to scream and break down into tears! Tears of joy rolled down my cheeks and up till now, it feels like I am in a dream. I, more often than not, pinch myself to see if it’s all true. After interacting with the judges and some of the staff at the college, I went home with a big smile on my face, beaming at everyone.

Wining the competition has been a dream come true. I set out to finance myself on the Social Work Degree – not that I had already gotten the money. It was going to be a challenge so I initially called the college to see if they would allow me to pay my fees in instalments to which they agreed. I then set about looking for the first payment before the 28th of September when registrations will commence. I told myself that, no matter the challenges I was going to pursue this degree programme. I had previously tried on more than one occasion to acquire a higher education but I had always not been successful due to one thing or the other.  

The 11th of September 2009 will forever be a day I will never forget. It is the beginning of a change. Not only has winning the competition taken off the burden of school fees off my shoulders but it has given me the confidence to pursue a career with the knowledge that on completion, I will be able contribute to making a difference in the life of someone and in the community. The scholarship has also given me the peace of mind to focus on my studies and finish successfully. I also see myself loosing the 'housewife' tag and also being a role model to other mothers and women as well as my children. Winning the competition has given me a voice – a voice for good; a voice to express a God-given ability to help people.  

My family and friends have been particularly happy for me. My husband is so proud of me and my children could not contain their excitement when they saw me being interviewed on TV during the BBC TV Oxford news segment after the competition. On receiving the news, my families in all over the world, especially in Ghana popped bottles of champagne in celebration. In the church that I go to here (Word Fountain Christian Ministry), there were shouts of hallelujah in celebration of my success. My friends have all now expressed interest in looking at Ruskin too to pursue their academic goals. Not just because of the scholarship but to take advantage of the opportunities being offered by the college to people like me".  

Through Ruskin College and by winning this competition, I have been given the audacity to hope for a better future. A future that I am looking forward to with all excitement".  

As part of the follow up on Seyram's win, she appeared in an article in the Oxford mail on 17th Sept and was also interviewed on BBC Oxford news and on BBC Radio Oxford.

You can here Seyram's Radio Oxford interviews below.

Interview with Malcolm Boyden 14/9/09 here
Interview with Jo Thoenes 18/9/09 here
Note:
These are large files and may take several minutes to download, please be patient.

We will be following Seyram closely over her first year so watch this space for more news. Seyram also has a blog that she will be updating throughout her first year which you can find here

You can also read more about Seyram's prize and more about how she felt to have won from an article on the BBC Oxford website here

Seyram with the judges
Steve Taschini (producer from Radio Oxford), Hannah Jones (Ruskin Academic Registrar) and Audrey Mullender (Ruskin Principal) 

Seyram with Malcolm Boyden

Seyram with Jo Thoenes