2024 Ma Kaing Scholarship Fund

Individuals who are refugees or immigrants face numerous barriers to graduating high school and attaining a post-secondary credential at a college, university, or other higher education institution. Since it was established in 2022, the Ma Kaing Scholarship Fund has provided scholarships to help highly-driven immigrants and refugees who are connected to Colorado and entering an institution of higher learning offset costs related to attaining a degree or credential. 

The Ma Kaing Scholarship Fund is named in honor of Ma Kaing, a beloved refugee community leader and mother of four, who was senselessly killed by a stray bullet while unloading groceries near her home in Denver's East Colfax neighborhood in July 2022.

Thanks to the generosity of nearly 500 community members, we were pleased to provide 8 scholarships in 2023. 

(Left to right: Melany, G.G., Jacobo Mejia Jimenez, and Dah Ku)

Some feedback from the recipients follows:

• "I am grateful for the opportunity to receive the scholarship. Being one out of 8 individuals who was awarded the scholarship speaks volumes because it is a reminder that my dreams are attainable and realistic and essential to continue strengthening our communities." - G.G.
• "Receiving the Ma Kaing Scholarship is a game-changer for me. It's not just a financial boost; it's a sigh of relief. Now, I can cut down on part-time work, allowing me to channel that time and energy into acing my classes. The stress of making ends meet is lifted, giving me the mental space to fully immerse myself in my studies." - Jacobo Mejia Jimenez
• "I remember the murder of Ma Kaing as if it happened yesterday. There were discussions about the lack of support her case received and as a young woman from similar backgrounds, I too felt unsupported... I've always known that education was the way to liberation, the way to freedom. I knew I wanted to pursue higher education but no one in my family had attended a state college... This fall, I completed all of my courses with As and am halfway through my undergraduate research." - Sher Moo

(Photo of Ma Kaing courtesy of Michelle Christiance Photography.)