Four South Sudanese students risk losing Morocco scholarships over airfare

Four South Sudanese students risk missing out on scholarship opportunities in Morocco after failing to raise the 670 US dollars required for their air tickets, an EgyptAir supervisor has said.

Paul Okello, an EgyptAir supervisor handling the students’ bookings, told Eye Radio that the students are among 105 students expected to travel to Morocco under an arrangement involving the Ministry of Higher Education, with parents or guardians responsible for paying the airfare.

“105 students, their parents or guardians are paying for the ticket, which is $670,” Okello said.

He explained that five students initially struggled to secure their tickets, but one later made an undertaking to pay, leaving four still at risk of missing the opportunity.

Okello said three students had failed to return to collect their tickets because they could not raise the required funds. He identified them as Mabior Malual, Iman Yaseen Umar Abdulkadir and Abuk Mayik Hussein.

“These are the three people who are not able to make undertaking. They even failed to appear to get their ticket, because they don’t have money,” he said.

Okello said the students are scheduled to travel in three groups, with the first group departing on October 16, the second on October 19 and the final group on October 23, 2026.

“The first group are traveling tomorrow, on the 16th, the other group are going on the 19th Monday, and 23rd Friday,” he said.

He appealed to well-wishers to support the affected students by helping them raise the money needed for their tickets before the scheduled departures.

Okello said he was concerned that the students could lose their scholarship opportunities because of financial difficulties, adding that assistance could enable them to complete their studies and contribute to society in the future.

“If anyone with a good heart who can sacrifice to help those students,” he said, appealing for support.

He added that helping the students pursue their education could allow them to return home and extend similar support to others in need.

The planned departures begin on October 16, leaving little time for the affected students to secure the required funds.