Malengo

Malengo is a non-profit organization (Germany: gGmbH; US: 501(c)(3)) that facilitates international educational migration. We provide mentoring and financial support to students from low-income countries who want to complete a Bachelor’s degree or vocational training in a high-income country. We aim to give millions of students the opportunity to pursue the education they want, and to lift themselves and their families out of poverty in the process. We believe that this is one of the most effective poverty reduction strategies in per-dollar terms that is available.

Malengo currently supports low-income, high-ability students in Uganda in applying for and completing a Bachelor’s degree, and refugees in Kenya seeking to do vocational training in Germany. By 2030, we aim to support students from most low-income and lower-middle income countries, and facilitate undergraduate studies in more than a dozen destination countries. Our program is sustainable by combining a strong network of volunteer mentors with a financial model in which students support future generations of scholars once they earn a high enough income (Income Share Agreements, ISAs).

Five complete cohorts of Malengo students, which comprise about 300 young people, are already in Germany. The first of these students have already completed their studies. Around 50 more students are preparing to arrive this fall.

In addition, around 250 young people are preparing to come to Germany to start a vocational training (mostly in nursing), the first ones in the spring of 2026. These young people are currently attending intensive German language training in Kenya and Rwanda. Most of them are refugees, mainly from South Sudan, Somalia, Burundi and DRC. 

We support our scholars in Germany through a comprehensive program that includes academic preparation, immigration processes, and long-term mentorship. Malengo also works closely with universities, landlords, employers, and government institutions to help our students integrate successfully into life in Germany.

Our team is international, mission-driven, and passionate about social impact, education, and intercultural understanding.

We are now looking for a Working Student for our legal team to support our scholars in legal challenges they face in Germany.