Help Mary Tumi raise Harvard tuition fees

Empowering Dreams - Help Mary Tumi raise Harvard tuition fees

Background

My name is Mary Tumi, and I am an Oxford graduate who studied psychology and linguistics. I was raised in a multicultural hotspot in Haringey, London. I have spent the last decade advocating for education as a vehicle out of difficult situations, and I am proud to hold an offer to study Education and Human Development at Harvard University.

Growing up in Haringey, a community characterized by low socioeconomic opportunities, navigating the complexities of social mobility has been no easy feat. As the daughter of immigrants, I faced many challenges. The norm around me was violence, poverty, and struggle but I fought to maintain my grades despite the impact of gang violence and young caring responsibilities on my wellbeing. I didn't know anyone who went to places like Oxford or Harvard.

However, education has provided me with the tools to confront institutional flaws and advocate for inclusivity.

In Woodgreen, I often saw my mother of five struggle silently, rarely asking for help. She was the prime example of resilience and persistence. My dad, a journalist and activist spent most of his life writing, and advocating for those in need. With this modeling, I developed the drive to dream big and imagine how far I could go. I aspire to be a role model and show others that anything is possible. I want the next little girl in Woodgreen to know that anything is possible.

Finance

Harvard has a 3% acceptance rate. So you can imagine how rare it is for someone from my socioeconomic background to obtain an offer at final admissions. It’s an unprecedented opportunity. To accept my offer, I need to prove that I have a minimum of $90,000 (£69,000) in my bank account.

Since graduating, I have had no opportunity to save money as I am currently self-sustaining and independent, with student loans and acting as a young carer. The few major scholarships I would be eligible for unfortunately had fall deadlines and due to my delayed graduation (due to marking strikes) and backlog from COVID, there was a minimal time between actually receiving my grades, graduating, transitioning out of university independently, and creating an application before deadlines.

The challenge is to raise up to $99,944 (£80,000) before the 17th of May 2024, the deadline for Fincert documentation for international students to demonstrate proof of necessary funds to cover all expenses associated with enrolling in the program. I hope to receive Financial Aid in the next coming weeks to significantly reduce my needs to fundraiser but I am currently sitting in uncertainty.

Why

Academia enabled me to develop a sense of self and curiosity for the world. Throughout my academic journey, I observed that schools and teachers play multifaceted roles that comprise caregivers, advisors, educators, and role models.

Notably, this realisation was accompanied by an understanding that the education system, in its current form, is fundamentally flawed. My philosophy revolves around the role schools play in development, extending beyond academic learning to encompass personal growth and individuality.

Through united efforts, we can bridge the gaps between schools and communities, creating an inclusive environment that supports the holistic development of every student. My involvement in youth participatory action research ensures that my work is grounded in the authentic experiences of those it aims to impact, and I want to continue this work on a bigger platform.

I am proud of the impact I have made at local and community levels, supporting hundreds of students from backgrounds similar to mine via different organizations and initiatives to achieve their dreams. The most fulfilling part of my job is empowering young people, watching their journey, and providing evidence that great things can be achieved.

“Tumi was also involved in the Campus Wellbeing project, a partnership with Ashoka, States of Mind and Boehringer Ingelheim. The teams worked collaboratively with students from countries worldwide (including Nigeria, the US, Brazil, etc.) to produce a framework that evaluates the wellbeing of different university campuses. In doing so, Tumi has demonstrated her capacity to become a future education innovator with a natural capacity to change the world around her.” - Dr. Jean Debarros, Senior Post-doctoral scientist at Oxford University

Everything I have achieved thus far has been with the help of other people. In the darkest moments of my life, I am grateful to have been supported and encouraged by mentors, family, friends, and even strangers!

Now, the time has come to progress to my next chapter, and I hope by working together we can make this dream a success. Please donate anything you can and share this. Anything you can do to help is massively appreciated, and every little helps. The more reach, the more impact.

Thank you for hearing my story.

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