Donate to help Bongani Tshuma raise college fees

Hi, My name is Bongani Tshuma from Khafa Village, Gwamayaya Area, Nkayi District, Matebeleland North Province in Zimbabwe. I am enrolled as a second year student at Lupane State University (LSU) in Zimbabwe studying towards an Honours degree programme in Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Biotechnology.

I would like to appeal to the global community for a financial assistance of USD5,000.00 in order to pay arrears for university fees and fees for the remaining academic years of the course.

Presently, I am experiencing financial challenges that have become a huge hurdle for me to progress and accomplish my studies.

The current university semester commenced on 28 August 2023. I have not been allowed to attend classes before I pay outstanding fees of USD200.00, which I failed to pay in the last semester. I am also supposed to pay 60% of this semester's fees as a prerequisite or precondition to be allowed to attend classes. Currently, semester fees are pegged at USD800.00, and 60% of the semester fees is USD480.00.

My cohort will be writing the first phase of examinations for the current semester starting on 25 September 2023. I am most likely not to be allowed to write the examinations if I would have failed to clear the arrears for last semester's fees and to pay 60% of this semester's fees.

At the moment, the college has given me a reprieve to temporarily occupy the on-campus student accommodation. However, I am not allowed to use student facilities such as computer labs, the library, laboratories and other facilities that are accessed by a wider community of students. I am only studying in my room using my smart phone because I do not have a laptop. I lack some of the study aids and materials that are considered by my peers as basics.

I come from an underprivileged, marginalised and disadvantaged family background. I was raised by my maternal grandparents. I struggled through my primary and secondary education because of lack of resources until a local Member of Parliament came to my rescue. My benefactor/sponsor appears to have run her natural course and to be no longer in a position to continue helping me. I am grateful, though, for her invaluable support over the years.

Since I started tertiary education, I have never accessed a wide range of study facilities that are available to other students because I have never paid fees on time. Notwithstanding that, I have never failed an examination. Against all odds, I am motivated and determined to finish my studies. I am of the opinion that if I successfully finish and pass my course, I will be in a position to break the endemic cycle of poverty that has hounded my family for many years.

I strongly believe the amount of USD5,000.00 would help me to clear oustanding fees and to pay fees for the remaining academic years.

Yours sincerely,

Bongani Tshuma.