The Maple Leaf Fund supports newcomers to Canada with refugee status who wish to pursue or, in many cases, resume their university studies, but need to improve their English language skills. This fund covers all associated expenses including tuition, books and learning materials required to prepare for their undergraduate and graduate studies. Students leave the Renison English language programs with the ability to understand lectures, take effective notes, conduct meaningful research and prepare persuasive essays and lab reports at an advanced university level.

When you give to the Maple Leaf Fund, you support students like Nataliia (pictured above). Nataliia fled her home of Kharkiv, Ukraine in late May 2022, after coming across the program for at-risk students to continue their education in Canada. Nervous and excited, Nataliia was met at the airport in Toronto before coming to Waterloo, and says that she has felt supported and well taken care of since arriving. Her family is still in Ukraine; Nataliia keeps in contact with them daily, and says that they are generally safe but missiles are still a regular occurrence. Being able to come to Canada and continue her education means a lot to Nataliia. She says that she feels like she has the chance for a peaceful life, and likens it to winning the lottery. While she’s not sure where life will take her next, and as things continue to change in Ukraine from day to day, Nataliia says “Now I have a chance.”  

Thank you for helping to make this happen.

If you have questions about this, or any of our funds, please contact Cort Egan, Director of External Relations and Communications.