The Imbuto Foundation on Monday received $32,400 (Rwf22 million) from the Chinese Embassy as a commitment toward supporting disadvantaged secondary school going students.

The partnership began last year when Imbuto and the Chinese Embassy signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

"The money will provide scholarships to 108 disadvantaged students in 2015. The funds will be channeled through the China-Africa People-to-People Friendship Action launched by the People’s Republic of China to promote cooperation between non-governmental organisations, women and youth from China and Africa,” a statement from Imbuto Foundation reads in part.

"The project selects disadvantaged students enrolled in public schools who obtain average grades of at least 70 per cent, with boys and girls having an equal chance of being selected.”

The statement also states that as a side component, annual forums are organised for selected students to equip them with life skills and positive values.

The renewed understanding was signed on Monday by Shen Yongxiang, the ambassador of China to Rwanda, and Radegonde Ndejuru, Director General, Imbuto Foundation.

Imbuto Foundation’s Scholarship Project, a brainchild of the First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, was launched in 2003 to provide financial support to youth with high academic potential but fail to pursue secondary school education due to financial difficulties.

Statistics from the foundation show that it supports an average of 1,000 students every year with school fees, health insurance, uniforms and scholastic material, while an estimated 6,200 scholarships have been awarded since its inception.