LONG-TERM COMMITMENT

Our previous training centers are located in Kenya at the University of Nairobi. This is the most important university in Kenya. The Department of Ophthalmology is located at Kenyatta National Hospital. Postgraduate training for ophthalmologists lasts three years. Another training center is located in Moshi/Tanzania, the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College (KCMC), which belongs to the country's Turmaini University. Postgraduate training here lasts four years. A fellowship was also awarded to a resident at the Mbarara University of Science and Technology Eye Clinic.
FUNDING GUIDELINES OF THE DR. SILVIA BOPP FOUNDATION

GRANTS OF SCHOLARSHIP

In addition to numerous projects in the current region of support, the Dr Silvia Bopp Foundation awards 1-2 scholarships every year. In doing so, we completely cover the costs for each scholarship recipient.

1. As a matter of principle, scholarships are awarded only to physicians who have completed their degrees, seek training as a specialist ophthalmologist and have an aptitude for this occupation. Moreover, their individual career path shows their accomplishments in ophthalmology.

2. The origin of the applicants is determined by the region given priority for support. Currently, support focuses on the region of East Africa.

3. Applicants who speak English as their native language are preferred.

4. As a rule, the original aims of the foundation take priority in the selection of scholarship recipients.

5. The scholarship recipients commit to working for no less than three years in a public clinic in their home country after they complete their education.

6. The scholarship recipients agree to report regularly on the progress of their education.

All scholarships are provided in cooperation with "Light for the World"
and are governed by the contractual agreements made with the Dr Silvia Bopp Foundation and Light for the World.
Applications may be submitted in any form and at any time, albeit promptly before the start of the academic year, to the following:

Dr. Silvia Bopp Stiftung
Langenstraße 34
28195 Bremen

or via email: lotz@dsb-stiftung.de

Required as a minimum for the application are a letter of application, a curriculum vitae and a photograph.

Scholarships are subject to a decision by the Advisory Board of the foundation.
The foundation welcomes applications from potential applicants.

SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS OF THE DR. SYLVIA BOPP FOUNDATION

Dr.Eustochius G. Rugabela

„Pursuing my Masters of Medicine in Ophthalmology faced an obstacle due to financial challenges. Thanks to the Dr. Silvia Bopp Foundation, this challenge has been overcome. With my financial worries resolved, I can now dedicate my full attention to learning, treating, and advancing my surgical skills. This support not only secures my academic journey but also empowers me to contribute meaningfully to eye care in Tanzania.“

Gloria Mtui

“Your support has been absolutely crucial in enabling me to focus on my studies and training without the added burden of financial worries. I am truly grateful for your generosity and belief in me. I am committed to making the most of this opportunity and contributing positively to the field of ophthalmology.”

Dr. Judith Malekele

„ I am deeply grateful to the Dr. Silvia Bopp Foundation for the generous support provided throughout my residency program at KCMUCo. Your assistance has been instrumental in my development and progress over the past three years.“

Dr. R.N. Rashid

“Financial difficulties prevented me from completing my Masters of Medicine in Ophthalmology. The Dr. Silvia Bopp Foundation has enabled me to overcome such a challenge. With my financial concerns taken care of, I can focus entirely on learning, developing as well improving my treatment skills. This financial support not only safeguards my academic career but also gives me the ability to make a significant contribution to Tanzanian eye care society.”

Dr. Rashid Nassor hat ebenfalls sein Abschlussexamen im Herbst 2025 erfolgreich abgeschlossen und ist als Augenfacharzt in seine Heimat Sansibar zurückkehrt. Er ist derzeit an seiner „Heimatklinik“ als Augenarzt tätig. Dr. Rashid hat derzeit noch keine weiteren Pläne einer Subspezialisierung, sondern will erstmal in allen Bereichen tätig sein und Erfahrungen sammeln.

Shariza Kanji

“I am convinced that the eyes are one of the most important sensory organs that help individuals to perceive the world. Being part of a working group that improves and corrects a patient's eyesight is in itself a blessing. As individuals we are always trying to improve each other's lives, and as future ophthalmologists we are trying to improve and restore a patient's vision.
I am grateful to the Dr.Silvia Bopp Foundation for making my dream of becoming an ophthalmologist a reality by funding my three-year postgraduate studies at \"Kilimanjaro Christian Medical College\".

Dr. Shariza Kanji hat ihr Studium 2020 ebenfalls erfolgreich am KCMC beendet und ist mittlerweile etwas außerhalb von Mwanza am Viktoriasee in einem kleinen Krankenhaus mit einer eigenen kleinen ophthalmologischen Abteilung tätig. Die Klinik ist nicht spezialisiert, und es werden im Prinzip alle Probleme „Rund um das Auge“ behandelt. Sie führt in erster Linie Katarakt-OP’s durch, behandelt aber auch Glaukome, Tumore usw. Das Angebot richtet sich an die Bevölkerungsschicht mit (sehr) geringem Einkommen.

Zubeir Noor

„I think Ophthalmology is a great career choice, where you can blend the best of everything. Seeing the beauty and nature of the world is of paramount to every being and as the saying goes, seeing is believing, indeed it is. Being an ambassador in restoring vision and helping others see is indeed a great blessing. Thank you so much for your generosity DSB for facilitating my last year of study by financing and securing my academic pursuits.God bless you abundantly.“

Dr. Einoti Matayan

„As I start my final year of ophthalmology residency, I anticipate to learn a lot, by the time I finish I will be ready to serve many people who are in great need of eye care.
I allready went for surgical one week outreach program and I was even able to do nine cataract surgeries in a day. I am looking forward to more surgical outreach programs and I hope I will be able to operate more patients.
Thank you for your support and God bless you.“

Dr. Einoti Matayan konnte ihre Augenfacharztausbildung 2017 am KCMC beenden.

Dr. Saqalain Kassamali

"I am very grateful to the Dr. Silvia Bopps Foundation for sponsoring my ophthalmology studies at KCMC. KCMC has an excellent ophthalmo- logy program and I will seek to use my expertise in my country to have an impact on eye care and vision improvement."

Dr. Saqalain Kassamali hat seine Facharztprüfung im Jahr 2019 am KCMC abgelegt und ist mittlerweile am Dr. Agarwals Eye Hospital in Daressalam in Tansania tätig. Er ist dort auf den Gebieten Katarakt, Glaukom, refraktive Chirurgie und paediatrische Ophthalmologie (Kinderophthalmologie) tätig.

Dr. Sahra Kweka

„Ophthalmology has been my Dream, and I really am very grateful to see my dream becoming a reality in the next 2 years. Very special thanks to Dr. Sylvia Bopp, through Light for the World, for providing full sponsorship for my studies. Other- wise, it would have been very diffi- cult, and almost impossible for me to undertake this course.“

Dr. Sahra Kweka hat als unsere erste Stipendiatin ihre Facharztausbildung 2015 am KCMC beendet und ist ihren ursprünglichen Plänen, einer Subspezialisierung auf dem Gebiet der Pediatric Ophthalmology (Kinderophthalmologie), gefolgt. Sie ist weiterhin am KCMC tätig. Die Abteilung ist stark gewachsen und es sind dort zwischenzeitlich drei Kinderophthalmologen tätig, die im Durchschnitt 30 Untersuchungen pro Tag durchführen.

Dr. Remezo Philbert

„I am very happy to be one of the doctors to receive support from LIGHT FOR THE WORLD and I thank them sincerely, but I also want to particulary thank Dr. Bopp for gran- ting me the funds that finally will en- able me to become an ophthalmology specialist.“

Dr. Remezo Philbert hat seine Facharztausbildung an der University of Nairobi im Jahr 2016 beendet. Dr. Remezo ist zurück in seine Heimat Burundi und hat dort eine eigene öffentliche Augenklinik.

Dr. Andrew Makupa

"I take this occasion to express my thanks and gratitude to the Dr. Silvia Bobb Foundation and LIGHT FOR THE WORLD for granting me the sponsorship. I realized that practicing ophthalmology allows the doctors to help people with impaired vision, which gives me professional satisfaction and a strong sense of being useful to others. Basically by becoming an ophthalmologist and a good one for that matter, I will be able to restore or to preserve vision of many of my countrymen."
Dr. Andrew Makupa hat zusammen mit Dr. Kweka seine Ausbildung 2015 am KCMC beendet und ist seit längerem als Augenfacharzt oberärztlich ebenfalls am KCMC tätig und mittlerweile auf dem Gebiet der VR spezialisiert. Hier unterstützt er seinen Bruder Dr. William Makupa (Leiter und Chefarzt der Ophthalmologischen Abteilung am KCMC) und ist faktisch zum Ko-Abteilungsleiter aufgestiegen. Er konnte zwischenzeitlich sehr viel praktische und operative Erfahrung auf diesem Gebiet sammeln und ist jetzt der Spezialist auf dem Gebiet VR. In dieser Funktion betreibt er auch die Aus- und Fortbildung anderer Augenfachärzte an der Klinik, z. B. unser Fellowship Dr. Raheel Kanji.

Dr. Majala Jafar

"Helping people with visual impairments was my dream since I was young. I think wherever possible, people should see the beauty of the nature, because to see is to believe. I would like to thank LIGHT FOR THE WORLD and the DR. SILVIA BOPP FOUNDATION for their support with equipment and funds, which enables me to undertake my studies."

Dr. Majala Jafar hat seine Facharztausbildung 2017 am KCMC beendet und ist in verschiedenen Einrichtungen in Tansania tätig. Im Jahr 2024 war er als Augenarzt im Rahmen eines gemeinschaftlich geförderten Outreach-Projektes im Raum Ruvuma – Songea sehr erfolgreich unterwegs.

Meeting with our scholarship recipients at KCMC
Treffen mit unseren Stipendiaten 2025