PepsiCo, Johud launch Tomooh for 3rd consecutive year

This is a special year for Tomooh as previous Tomooh scholarship recipients will have the chance to re-apply for the scholarship if they managed to maintain a high academic standing and are still in need of financial assistance in order to continue their education.

"We are pleased to be collaborating with PepsiCo International for the 3rd year," said Johud's Executive Director Farah Al Daghistani.

"We are proud to be part of a programme that makes a real impact in the lives of Jordanian youth by helping them have a better future and reaching their educational goals. This project has been critical in providing students with the opportunity to further their education, and extending the funds to previous students who qualify academically and are still in need of financial support is a natural next step for Tomooh in light of what we are all trying to achieve for education in Jordan and the Middle East," she added.

Saad Abdul-Latif, PepsiCo International, Asia, Middle East and Africa Division President, said:

"With the birth of Tomooh in Lebanon and its adoption in Jordan and Egypt benefiting more than 2000 students over the past three years, we are happy to be launching the project again this year. PepsiCo is committed to empowering young people through education."

"The strength of our partnership and cooperation with Johud through its National Goodwill Campaign has made Tomooh a success and translated our shared vision of providing education opportunities to economically challenged Arab youth into reality," he added.

PepsiCo International spokesperson at the Tomooh launch event, Sufian Al Salman, Human Resources & Corporate Affairs Director - Jordan said he was very pleased with the strong interest shown by students of all educational levels in the program over the past two years.

"The number of applications we received in the past reflects a strong determination amongst young students who are fighting their economic restraints to achieve a better education," he said.

"Through Tomooh, PepsiCo International hopes to encourage students, who do not have the sufficient resources, to continue their education, and overcome their financial barriers. We are pleased to be able to reward the students' academic achievements with this great opportunity," he added.

Tomooh applications are available at all Johud's 50 community development centers across the Kingdom to ensure reaching out to all students and allowing those who live in remote areas to apply for the scholarships.

The Tomooh Education Project, launched by PepsiCo International, is a scholarship programme in the Middle East dedicated to underprivileged students looking to further their education. The programme comes from PepsiCo International's $1m commitment to the Arab world which has been set aside in order to aid disadvantaged communities, based on individual needs.

Introduced in Lebanon in 2006 as an annual scholarship programme, Tomooh was then rolled out to Jordan and Egypt, with the program now in its 4th year in Lebanon, and 3nd year in both Jordan and Egypt.