We are excited to announce that our Equatoguinean study abroad student, who was able to study English in America this summer because of The Ladybug Project Inc., has been accepted into an intensive English program at the University of West Florida!

Congratulations Nguere! We are proud of your progress and excited for your future success!

Today, we are excited to announce our student scholar visited Florida Gulf Coast University and together with Ann, our FGCU Representative, was able to meet the university's Vice-President. Impressed by The Ladybug Project and our scholar, the university has agreed to work with us as we move forward to help the student matriculate into an American university for study towards an American bachelor's degree.

In Equatorial Guinea, the only university in the country offers just a three-year bachelor degree; a remnant of their colonial past. In order to gain higher levels of education, including an internationally recognized four-year bachelor, students must leave the country. A difficult feat by any means, The Ladybug Project has started a vigorous scholarship program which will provide the administrative and financial support necessary to study internationally to Equatoguinean university students, as funding allows.

For more information on our student scholar program click here, to learn about Equatorial Guinea click here, and to learn how you can help us, click here!

Check out an article in today's Fort Myers News-Press (in print, and online) for a closer look at our Student Scholarship initiative, and Nguere, our first program recipient!

The article can be found online: http://www.news-press.com/article/20110514/NEWS0104/110513063/African-student-hopes-attend-FGCU-start-better-life

Kim, our Executive Director, and Ann, our FGCU Alumni Representative journeyed today to Miami International Airport where they picked up Nguere, our first Equatoguinean Student Scholar! For more information about our student scholar program, click here.

After journeying 25 hours through Madrid and finally arriving in America, he is excited to discover America and prepare for his upcoming TOEFL test. Starting Monday, Nguere will embark on an intensive, daily English course through the non-profit Literacy Council of Bonita Springs as well as weekly conversation courses through the Lee County Library System.

We will be sure to keep you posted as Nguere moves towards his goal of attending an institution of higher education here in Florida!