A new scholarship fund has been set up in Altona to help further the education of some of the community's newest citizens.

Build a Village has announced the establishment of the Nitikman/Chan scholarship that will be used to assist the children of refugee families, which the organization has sponsored, to attend university, college or a vocational program.

Ray Loewen, the spokesman for Build a Village, says the Nitikman/Chan family from B.C. donated $50,000 which has been invested in an interest bearing GIC trust account - and the investment income will be available for annual Scholarship Awards in perpetuity.

According to Loewen, the Nitikman family has roots to the early part of Altona's history.

Ray Loewen

"The Nitikman family came to Altona as newcomers back in the late 1800s or early 1900s and are remembered for operating a successful general store in the community for many years. And now the third generation of that family wants to help other newcomers to achieve some of the successes they've had in Canada."

The scholarship will be administered by Build a Village in consultation with the Nitikman/Chan family and scholarship awards will go to refugee students based on their demonstrated academic achievements, financial needs, and community service records. If selected as a recipient, the student will receive a $1,000 award.

"This generous program came totally out of the blue," said Loewen. "They heard about Build a Village and the work that we were doing with the Syrian families, and after giving it some thought decided they would like to do something to help newcomers arriving in the community."

The Nitikman family is no longer connected to Altona, and in fact, the third generation of the family has never been to Altona, according to Loewen.

"We're hoping to arrange a visit for them sometime in the near future."