PADI Scholarships Result in Wrap-Around Smiles!

PADI Scholarships Result in Wrap-Around Smiles!

Implemented in 2004, the PADI International Ltd Professional Scholarship Scheme was put in place to assist potentially disadvantaged individuals from local communities to attain PADI Professional level qualifications.

To date, a number of individuals from South Africa and other countries have enrolled on the programme in order to take their lives in another direction, and to have an opportunity to develop a rewarding career and new way of life.

This year’s intake has seen 9 successful applicants accepted onto the scheme for 2009.

They are:

Unsurprisingly applicant reactions to the award have been overwhelming. Rafael Mazivila said, "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to become a PADI professional.  This news has made me a very very happy diver!  I will cherish this opportunity and I will work very hard to get the qualifications so that I can share my love of diving with others in the future".
 
Fred Maunde says, "Thank you for accepting me into the program.  It is a dream of mine come true to have the opportunity to make diving my career.  I look forward to sharing my love of diving with others and educating my fellow Mozambicans about the ocean.  I am sorry I cannot say more but my heart is too full to put the words down.  Many, many thanks again".
 
Lucas Francisco commented, "Thank you so much for accepting me in your program.  It is a dream come true to discover the underwater world and meet people from all over the world and I look forward to learning and sharing my knowledge with others, I am so happy".

Of course candidates have to be eligible to take part, and PADI have established criteria that individuals must meet to get involved. These include being able to demonstrate an existing commitment to scuba diving, the support of their local diving community and a keen interest in preservation of the aquatic environment.

 All the candidates have had the solid support of their dive centres and local course directors. Commenting on her dive centre applicants’ success Nikki of Tofo Scuba commented, “We are all blown away that Lucas, Fred and Rafael all received the scholarship, they are sporting wrap-around smiles and are so happy. They are all good, honest and hardworking guys and deserve this opportunity, thank you very much to PADI for improving their prospects.”

The benefits of being accepted onto the programme are wide-ranging but put simply; candidates have the assurance of PADI support, materials and course fees to PADI Instructor level.

Wouldn’t we all love to be able to say that no matter where we live, or what we are doing, we have a job that allows us to get paid for doing something we feel really passionate about? Candidates on the PADI Professional Scholarship Scheme will surely be able to count themselves among the lucky individuals who have this opportunity.
Not only do PADI Instructors help enrich others’ lives by introducing them to the adventure of diving but they often get to transform their own lives in really positive ways too!