Enable Raila Akur to reach UMass from South Sudan

I'm Raila Akur, and I am a twenty-two-year old student from the beautiful city of Juba in South Sudan. I have always been passionate about art and have dreamt of becoming a professional artist. I do painting as a business in order to support my education. I have been doing it for about two years now.

Last year, I seized an opportunity that came my way and decided to pursue my passion. I was accepted into several schools, including UMass Lowell in the United States, University of Arizona, and UMass Dartmouth college.

I ultimately made the decision to change my major to Computer Science at UMass Lowell, with a scholarship. I wanted to explore something new in technology while still being able to pursue art as a minor.

I was overjoyed by this incredible opportunity which would change my life, but I need your help to make it a reality. The scholarship covers a significant part of my tuition, room and board, but it doesn't cover everything. Since February, I have worked hard to raise funds by selling my artwork and seeking help from friends, family, and local organizations to cover the remaining costs. Despite my best efforts, I am still need $5,190 to reach UMass Lowell from South Sudan. Time is running out, and the pressure is mounting - I must arrive for orientation on August 27th and classes begin on September 1st.

I refuse to let this incredible opportunity slip through my fingers due to financial constraints. That’s why I am humbly reaching out to the global community for assistance. Any support, whether through donations or sharing my story, would be immensely appreciated as I strive to pursue my dreams of academic success in the United States.

Your contribution, no matter how small, will bring me one step closer to pursuing my dreams of academic success in the United States.

Cost Breakdown:

$1,505 covers my remaining tuition + room & board after the scholarship

$1,500 covers my flight ticket

$185 covers the F1 (Student) Visa fee charged by the US embassy

$500 covers associated travel cost to obtain the US Visa

$1,000 secures ground transportation and accommodation cost from Juba, South Sudan to Entebbe International Airport in Kampala in Uganda, and from Boston Logan Airport to UMass Lowell campus.

$500 ensures I can buy essentials to settle in and focus on my studies in the first week in Lowell.

Sincerely, Raila Akur

Juba, South Sudan

Note:

This campaign was initiated by Luna Zhang, due to the lack of access to GoFundMe from South Sudan. Luna and Raila Akur first met in January, 2024 through CAAAN (Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network) where Luna was a CAAAN ambassador and Raila Akur was a Cornell applicant. While she wasn't eventually admitted to Cornell, Raila Akur was extended a funded offer from UMass Lowell, and Luna and Akur Raila stayed in touch.