Help Bienfait Pay For His University Tuition
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Hi, my name is Bienfait Zihalirwa. But I am also called “Mwalimu” (a Swahili word meaning “teacher”) by children in the communities where I work.
I was born in a small village in the south province of the Democratic Republic of Congo, and came from a poor family whose father, a teacher at elementary school, earned a salary that could not meet the basic needs of the family’s eight children. It was not an easy time or place to grow up. The political climate was dangerous, the economic climate was bleak, and conditions for us only worsened when armed troops looted our house, stripping us of everything we had. When I could return to school, I was bullied, and my studies were constantly halted for lack of means. But I persevered.
When my father fell ill, I'd teach in his place until he recovered, also sometimes filling in for other teachers too. At that time, I found out that many children were expelled from the class just because they didn’t pay their school fees. From then on, I vowed to become a changemaker, helping other disadvantaged and traumatized children rise out of poverty and despair. In 2017, I started Upright Kids Foundation, (UKF) to help underprivileged children and orphans by equipping them with free vocational skills, school fees, school materials, and food. I am so proud to have done this, but I know I can do more.
I dream of pursuing a Master's degree in International Development, so I can continue my humanitarian projects and regional economic development on an even greater scale. However, I cannot afford the fees. As an international student, tuition amounts to €7.518 a year. Unfortunately, I will not be admitted to university if I can't prove that I have sufficient funds to cover my tuition fees and living expenses.
So far, I have had the generous help of friends who financed my bachelor's degree studies. But now, I must reach out to the broader community for support. Your contribution, no matter how large or small, will help me realize my dreams, and will ultimately be an investment in the future of children in Congo and beyond.
I know this may not be possible for everyone but your support, whether through donations or simply by sharing my campaign with your network, means the whole world
to me.
Your donations are needed for:
€7.518: 1 year tuition
€600: Books and school supplies
€1882: short time living expense payment.
Total goal: €10.000
Thank you!
Bienfait
Fundraising team (2)
Edwin Kok
Organizer
Bienfait Zihalirwa
Team member