Student Support
Our Student Support Program helps vulnerable young people overcome the barriers that keep them out of school and limit their future opportunities. Too many students face obstacles such as poverty, displacement, language barriers, and under-resourced schools that limit their opportunities to succeed. Through scholarships, academic support, mentorship, college readiness workshops, and wellness services, DSSN empowers students in rural Zimbabwe and immigrant and refugee families in Kentucky to stay in school, succeed academically, and build brighter futures. By investing in education, we help young people move from survival to opportunity while creating lasting hope, stability, and stronger communities.
Scholarships & Supplies
We provide scholarships and essential school resources, including tuition assistance, uniforms, supplies, and examination fees, helping to reduce the financial burden that often forces students out of school.
Special attention is given to:
Girls at risk of dropping out
Orphans and vulnerable children
Learners facing social or economic barriers to education
By addressing these challenges early, the program helps students remain enrolled, improve academic performance, and successfully complete their studies.
College Readiness
Many immigrant and refugee students in Kentucky are the first in their families to navigate the path to college, often without access to the guidance and support needed to understand the transition from high school to higher education. DSSN helps bridge that gap by providing personalized mentorship, college readiness workshops, and academic guidance that empower students to pursue their educational and career goals with confidence.
We help students explore career pathways, prepare college applications, access scholarships and financial aid opportunities, and build strong academic profiles for long-term success. By walking alongside students and families throughout the process, we are helping young people move beyond uncertainty and toward opportunity, leadership, and a brighter future.
Substance Abuse Prevention
In many communities in Zimbabwe, young people face growing risks related to alcohol and drug use, often without access to trained professionals, structured support systems, or safe spaces for guidance and intervention. DSSN responds to these urgent needs by creating pathways of hope, resilience, and protection for vulnerable youth.
We provide prevention-focused education, life skills training, and positive extracurricular engagement that help young people make informed choices and build healthier futures. Working in partnership with families, educators, and community leaders, we are helping to create safe and supportive environments where students are empowered to resist harmful influences, strengthen their confidence, and pursue long-term success grounded in dignity and opportunity.
Make an Impact Today
Your contribution can create an immediate and lasting impact:
$30 provides a student with a school uniform and essential learning supplies
$90 covers a full year of elementary school fees for one student
$180 pays a full year of secondary school tuition for one learner
$300 sponsors a College Readiness Workshop for 20 students
$750 funds a Substance Use Prevention Workshop serving 30 youth
Every scholarship and educational opportunity helps a young person stay in school, pursue their dreams, and build a brighter future for themselves and their community.
Tax-deductible donations are welcome and can be made via:
Check mailed to 3888 Winthrop Dr, Lexington, KY, 40514
Zelle: DSSN2026
PayPal