

The Umthombo Youth Development Foundation seeks to address the shortages of healthcare staff at rural hospitals. This is achieved through the investment in rural youth who are willing on graduation to work at their local rural hospital.
Research found that the lack of qualified healthcare professionals in rural areas could be attributed to the following issues:
Based on these findings and the belief that despite the poor social and economic circumstances of the youth in the area, that if given the opportunity and necessary support, rural youth could succeed in becoming health care professionals and would return to serve their communities when qualified.
The Umthombo Youth Development Foundation (formerly Friends of Mosvold Scholarship Scheme) thus sought to identify local youth who had the potential to, and an interest in, becoming healthcare providers and who would commit to working at their local district hospital for at least the same number of years they received UYDF support for.
Find out more