Dear family and friends,

My name is Tinotenda Musariri, and I'm a student-athlete from Zimbabwe currently in my first year at Briar Cliff University in the USA, where I'm studying social work. I grew up in Rusape, a rural area where my parents still reside. They're aging, and I've always wanted to make them proud. Coming to America was a life-changing opportunity that required hard work and dedication. I attended Saint Teresa High School and later received a scholarship to attend Prince Edward High School, where my dreams of pursuing academics and athletics in the USA began to take shape. Now, I am facing a serious challenge—I owe $7,650 to my university, and I must pay this balance by the end of June in order to continue my education and secure a better opportunity. That’s why I’ve created this GoFundMe—to ask for your support during this critical time.

When I was recruited by Briar Cliff University, the head coach promised that I'd have the opportunity to work on campus to cover my room and board expenses, as my scholarship only covers tuition. However, it took me three months to secure a job and an additional two weeks to obtain my social security number, leaving me with limited time to earn the necessary funds.

Due to this challenging situation, I've been exploring other options and have been offered a full scholarship by Tusculum University in Tennessee. This opportunity would enable me to pursue my athletic and academic goals without financial burdens. However, to finalize the transfer, I need to settle my outstanding balance of $7,650 at my current university by the end of June.

If I'm unable to secure funding for this balance, I risk losing not only the full scholarship opportunity but also my visa status. My current university has warned me that failure to pay will result in losing my status, which would force me to leave the USA and abandon my academic and athletic pursuits. The thought of losing my visa status is daunting, and I'm eager to maintain my status and continue studying and achieving my athletic goals.

Overcoming this challenge would not only change my life but also bring immense joy to my parents. I've always felt a deep sense of responsibility to make them proud, given the sacrifices they've made for me and the difficulties we faced growing up. Your support through this GoFundMe would be a true blessing, allowing me to continue my athletic career, make my family proud, and bring about the change I want to my rural community in future.

As a student-athlete, I've had the opportunity to compete at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) level. I've already qualified for the NAIA nationals as part of my relay team and hold one of the top 5 fastest 100m times in my school this season. Unfortunately, my current university has refused to let me compete due to my outstanding balance.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Any contribution—no matter the size—will make a meaningful difference and bring me closer to my goals. Please consider donating or sharing this campaign to help me stay on track.

Sincerely,

Tinotenda Musariri