Hi, my name is Alexander and I am fundraising for a brilliant young woman named Aminata Dukuray, left orphaned by the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, one of the poorest countries in the world, and designated the breadwinner for her family of 10. She has been accepted to the Faculty of Social Work at Sierra Leone University in Freetown (see photos above) This is her story, in her words:

Full Name: Aminata Haja Dukuray

Age: 22 Years

Place of Birth: Province, Sierra Leone

My Life Story

My name is Aminata Haja Dukuray. I am 22 years old. I was born in rural Sierra Leone and raised by my parents until I was 11 years old, when they both passed away during the Ebola outbreak. It was a very heartbreaking time in my life.

After their death, I lived in the village where there were no proper educational facilities. Because my siblings wanted me to continue my education, they decided to send me to the city so I could have a better future through schooling.

During the civil war, three of my siblings were separated from the family and we have not reunited since. My second eldest brother completed his final year in high school, but shortly after, he became mentally ill. Until today, he still suffers from this condition. He was supposed to be the breadwinner of our family, but because of his illness, that responsibility has now fallen on me.

Sadly, I am the only one in my family still going to school. Life in the city has not been easy. My siblings are no longer able to fully support my school fees,

feeding, shelter, and other basic needs. Because of these struggles, I sought help from an orphanage, where I am currently living. They assist me with food, education, and accommodation, but this support is temporary. I am now above the maximum age allowed in the orphanage program, and soon I will have to move out. I currently have no guaranteed shelter or steady support, and my needs are many. This is one of the hardest phases of my life.

Despite everything, I continue to push forward and remain hopeful. But no matter how hard it gets, I am still fighting for my education and my future.

Aminata Haja Dukuray

So, that is her story. Despite the almost unbelievable strain put on her, she remains very positive and very hopeful. She is a devout Christian and attends her local church every Sunday singing in the choir.

But the fact is, that in the New Year, she will no longer have a home, and will not be able to begin her studies without your support.

This is what she needs. Although it is a three year program, we have decided to try to raise enough money for one year at a time. The amounts are in Sierra Leone New Leone (their currency) and in Canadian Dollars (in brackets). The total was reached using a currency converter.

Tuition Fee: 7,000 SL ($409.10)

Application form fee: 700 SL ($49)

Rent of apartment in Freetown: 40,000 SL ($2337.70)

Transportation: 9,000 SL ($526)

Seminars and extra classes 4,000 SL ($233.77)

Clothes, School supplies: 9,000 SL ($526)

Food costs: 10,000 SL ($584.43)

Total: SL 79,700 ($4582.47)