Financial Struggles in Medical School: Jesus House Baltimore Provides SupportFinancial Struggles in Medical School: Jesus House Baltimore Provides Support Enrolling in medical school can be financially daunting, especially during challenging economic times. The Olajuwon family, despite their financial setbacks, sent their daughter, Folasade, to study Medicine at the University of Ibadan. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Folasade to take a job and later resort to selling zobo, giving tutorials, and selling accessories to support herself. Collins, a medical student at the same university, also faced financial difficulties after his father’s passing in 2020. His mother struggled to repay a loan taken out to continue his studies. Both Folasade and Collins were at risk of abandoning their medical careers. Through the Sponsor a Student Programme (SASP) of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI), Jesus House Baltimore offered scholarships to 32 medical students, including Folasade and Collins. The scholarship has relieved their financial burdens, allowing them to focus on their studies. Folasade, now a final year medical student, expressed her gratitude, stating that the scholarship has “taken a huge burden off [her] shoulders.” Collins, a 500-level medical student, is relieved to no longer worry about tuition fees and can dedicate himself to his studies. Pastor Tola Odutola, the founder of Jesus House Baltimore, understands the struggles students face, having worked various jobs while studying at Loyola College. He emphasized the importance of preventing brilliant students from dropping out due to lack of financial support. Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, the outgoing Provost, acknowledged that the medical students at CoMUI are among the best in Nigeria. She believes that it’s unacceptable for them to abandon their studies due to financial constraints. Mr. Idowu Lawanson, a Loyola College alumnus, initiated the collaboration with Jesus House Baltimore, leading to the establishment of the SASP fund. Jesus House Baltimore is currently the largest donor to the SASP. It is estimated that approximately N880,000 is required per student per session at CoMUI. The scholarship provided by Jesus House Baltimore and other donors aims to alleviate the financial burden for deserving medical students and ensure their success in their medical careers.
ENROLLING A CHILD to study in a medical school is no mean feat, especially when it comes to the financial investment involved. However, the Olajuwon family decided to take the plunge and send their daughter, Folasade, to the University of Ibadan (UI) in Ibadan to study Medicine.
However, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, things took a downturn financially for that family. Folasade, then a 200-level medical student, had to take a job to stay in school. However, it was a two-year contract that ended in 2022. Determined not to quit her medical studies as a 400-level student, Folasade turned to selling zobo (a drink made from hibiscus flowers), raising money through tutorials, and selling clothing accessories to support herself. But with jobs scarce, she knew she needed help.
Collins grew up in a family that values education. His father made sure that his children were well-versed in their studies. Collins was a medical student at the University of Ibadan when his father, the breadwinner of the family, passed away in 2020. Collins’ mother had to take out a loan so that he could continue his studies. Unfortunately, things continued to be difficult and repaying the loan was a Herculean task. Collins began making plans on how he would take out at least a year from medical school so that he could work to raise enough money to return to school.
Fortunately, Folasade and Collins did not have to abandon their medical studies. They are among 32 medical students sponsored by Jesus House Baltimore under the Sponsor a Student Programme (SASP) of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI).
Last Friday, an award ceremony for the Jesus House Baltimore Scholarships and the pre-launch of the Global Sponsor-A-Student Programme (G-SASP) Board was held at Paul Hendrickse Hall, located on the premises of the University College Hospital, Ibadan. The event featured the appreciation of donors to Jesus House, Baltimore, led by Pastor Tola Odutola, scholarships for the Jesus House Baltimore Scholars for the 2023/2024 session and the formal pre-launch and introduction of the Global Sponsor A Student Programme (G-SASP) Board, an extension of the SASP.
Folasade, now a final year medical student, says she can now focus in class. She says the scholarship has “taken a huge burden off my shoulders. It’s easier to come to school and pay attention in class. The scholarship has allowed me to pay attention when the professors are teaching me. I want to thank the provost for the initiative and my sponsors, Jesus House Baltimore.”
Collins, now a 500-level medical student, had this to say: “For me, it has really changed a lot because now I don’t have to worry about my tuition anymore and I can fully focus on my studies. I really appreciate that.”
During the award ceremony, Pastor Odutola gave a brief account of his background and said, “I know what it is to have nothing! I know what it is to go through school with nothing.”
He recalls working various jobs while studying at Loyola College in Ibadan, including selling goods at the popular Ogunpa Market.
The outgoing Provost, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, in her opening address at the event, stated that there were many medical students who were struggling financially despite being among the best batch of medical students in Nigeria. This financial burden often affects their academic performance and overall well-being. She said it was not appropriate for brilliant students to drop out of school due to lack of financial support.
“The students who are admitted into College of Medicine, University of Ibadan are the best of the best. It is a strictly selective process based on merit. About 90 percent of MBBS students are in the first class,” said Professor Omigbodun.
She added that “in any world-class institution, a student should not have to drop out because they have no food. Some of them have to do odd jobs to survive. This burden can be huge and it affects their performance. While I believe that students should pay competitive fees, I believe that we can raise funds that will help them through school.”
She acknowledged the pivotal role of Mr. Idowu Lawanson, a Loyola College alumnus, the liaison who initiated the process for the Jesus House Baltimore Scholarship.
Mr Lawanson told Nigerian Tribune that the idea was conceived during his nephew’s initiation ceremony at the College of Medicine where he noticed some needy students. This eventually led him to Pastor Tayo Odutola of Jesus House, Baltimore, an alumnus of Loyola College. Another Loyola College alumnus, Mr Ademola Olabisi, who was present at the award ceremony and confirmed this fact, said: “Jesus House, Baltimore is doing what they are doing at the College of Medicine because Mr Lawanson discussed it with Pastor Odutola during my treatment at University College Hospital (UCH). I want to thank Jesus House Baltimore for their intervention.”
At present, Pastor Odutola and Jesus House Baltimore are the largest donors to the SASP fund with N13.74 million donated so far. It is estimated that about N880,000, including a N480,000 feeding allowance, of N40,000 per month, is needed to see a student through a session at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, at the moment.
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