Hi! My name is Joyce Nimely, and I’m raising funds on behalf of Mach Riak, a newly admitted international student at Berea College.

If you know anything about being a refugee, you understand how deeply it shapes a person, from growing up with less than enough, to facing obstacles that feel impossible, to learning resilience far earlier than any child should. Mach spent most of his life growing up as a refugee, yet he never stopped believing in the power of education to transform his future.

And then, things finally shifted for him. Mach was accepted into Berea College, one of the most competitive no-tuition colleges in the United States. With an international acceptance rate of just 36%, being admitted is a testament to who Mach is: hardworking, brilliant, and resilient.

But the challenges didn’t end there. As we all know, visa processing can be a daunting task, especially for international students. Mach was supposed to arrive at Berea in August, but due to visa uncertainties and long delays, he was unable to travel in time. Still, he refused to give up.

After months of setbacks, uncertainty, long travel, interviews, and emotional exhaustion, Mach finally received his U.S. F-1 student visa. He is now due to arrive in Spring 2026, a dream he has held onto for so long.

However, after spending his entire life in a refugee settlement in Uganda with no financial support system, Mach now faces one last obstacle: He needs $2,500 to purchase his plane ticket to the United States.

As an international student at Berea myself, I know how life-changing this opportunity is. Berea opened doors for me that I never knew were possible, and I don’t want Mach to miss his chance simply because of a plane ticket.

I am asking from the bottom of my heart to please consider donating to help Mach begin this new chapter of his life.

Even the smallest contribution will bring him one step closer to stepping onto that plane and into a future filled with hope and possibility.

If you cannot donate, sharing his story would mean the world.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support.