UWC EA/ISM Alumni Bulletin – Issue 5

Dear UWC East Africa/ISM Alumni,

Welcome to a new edition of the alumni bulletin. This space is usually one where we celebrate connection, milestones, and the many ways our global community continues to support one another. While much of this bulletin continues in that spirit, it is also shaped by a deep sense of sadness following the passing of one of our Arusha Diploma students this week (See below).

At moments like these, we are reminded that the ISM/ UWC East Africa is more than a school. It is a community grounded in care, compassion, and mutual support. We hold the student’s family and friends in our thoughts, and we are thankful for the solidarity shown across campuses and generations.

Thank you for standing with us and for being part of this community. We hope this edition of the bulletin offers space for reflection and connection, and reminds us of the strength we find in one another.

With warmest wishes,

The Advancement team

In Memory

Help Us Identify Opportunities Around the World!

As you may know, students are facing new challenges in finding affordable and welcoming university options, especially those affected by travel restrictions. We encourage our alumni community to help whenever possible, whether by sharing insights on alternative university pathways or finding ways to support students. We would love to hear from you and invite you to schedule a virtual coffee call with us. Moments like these remind us of the strength of connection within our beloved community and the importance of collective action.

If you know of universities in your home country or elsewhere that could be viable pathways, we encourage you to complete this form created by our University Counselling office.  Even a few minutes of your time could open doors for a student at UWC East Africa or another UWC.

Exciting Updates on Endowment Fund

We are celebrating an incredible milestone! Thanks to the generosity of our community, we have reached our endowment goal and unlocked the full match from Eijk and Rose-Marie Van Oterloo.

This initiative centers on a simple idea: to make scholarships sustainable and available forever, making a significant impact for Tanzanian students every year in perpetuity.

The ripple effect of this achievement extends far beyond the numbers. Each scholarship represents a life transformed. When we invest in students today, we’re investing in the changemakers of tomorrow.

We’re deeply grateful to everyone who made this possible, from our longtime supporters to those who gave for the first time, from our alumni who remembered what the school meant to them to parents who want others to experience what their children did. Your collective belief in this mission has created something truly lasting.

The UWC East Africa Endowment Fund remains open, and every additional contribution increases the fund’s capacity to provide stable, long-term scholarship support. 

If you wish to make a lasting impact on future generations, you can contribute today and leave your mark. 

Contact the Advancement Team at fundraising@uwcea.org or visit our website. 

Alumni Spotlight: Marijka (Malaika) van Klinken

What path did you take after graduating? Can you share your journey, achievements, and the passions that drive you?

After graduating from ISM, I pursued further studies, drawn to the breadth and depth of a liberal arts education, having thoroughly enjoyed the multidisciplinary nature of IB. Fortunate to secure a Junior Professional Officer role with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, I found myself working in Somalia. By then, I had already completed a master’s in International Development, knowing that I wanted to dedicate my career to uplifting society.

Though my role was in Food Security and Nutrition, it was here that I truly fell in love with public health nutrition. The work was tangible, necessary, and vital. After two years of learning on the ground, I returned to complete another master’s—this time in Public Health Nutrition—before continuing my career in the humanitarian field. Over the years that followed, I worked with various organisations across multiple conflict-affected countries, serving both civilian populations and prison communities.

I found deep passion in my work—in providing essential services for survival, free of judgment. I held firmly to all humanitarian principles, but above all, to humanity—the fundamental ethic that demands aid be given solely on the basis of need, without discrimination, and that recognizes every person’s right to dignity, respect, and a life beyond mere survival. Though my work centered on nutrition, I came to see it as just one piece of a much larger picture.

Over time, working in places where humanity often seems lost—yet is, paradoxically, ever-present—I developed a profound fascination with people: how we think, act, and are. This curiosity has led me to my next journey: pursuing a part-time degree in psychotherapy, a path that continues to deepen my understanding of human resilience and the complexity of the human experience.

What do you cherish the most about your ISM/UWCEA experience? The friends made – and still keep. 

Celebrating Our Community: Olivia Sayani

Olivia describes UWCEA as a door to new opportunities. Being part of a diverse community pushed her beyond what felt familiar and helped her discover her interests, passions, and confidence to take on new challenges. Those experiences continue to shape how she approaches the world today.

Olivia is currently in her third year at the University of Florida, majoring in Political Science and Criminology, with a minor in Sociology of Social Justice and Public Policy. This semester, she is studying on exchange at Sciences Po in Reims, France, where she is building experience in international affairs and global politics as she considers future studies in law or graduate school.

Last summer, Olivia completed an internship at the Aga Khan University Graduate School of Media and Communications in Nairobi. Her research explores how media in East Africa portray sex and Gender Based Violence and femicide, to raise awareness, challenge harmful narratives, and inform policy solutions.

We are pleased to share a link to Olivia’s research paper in this bulletin and celebrate the meaningful work she continues to do.

Watch & Reconnect: A New UWCEA Video

Register in Our Alumni Database – Stay Updated & Share Your Story

We’ve created new spaces for alumni to stay connected, share ideas, and keep up with school news. Whether it’s reconnecting on Facebook, getting quick updates through WhatsApp, or building your professional network on LinkedIn, there’s now an easy way to stay part of the alumni community. 

Don’t forget to follow our official pages on Instagram,  Facebook, and LinkedIn for the latest updates, alumni spotlights, and more!

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