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Ronald Karenzi Educational Fund

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Family, Friends and all who can help,

I (Scott K. Goodman) had the pleasure of knowing this young man upon his arrival to the United States. You can imagine the challenges Ronald had coming to America. It’s been nothing short of amazing watching him excel as a student, athlete and person.

Please help. If he returns to Uganda, his safety is in jeopardy.  $5, $10, $100 or  $500 anything you can give will be greatly appreciated. As his below letter states, Ronald is not asking for charity but in the future he wants to repay  everyone who donates. Most of us had a fair opportunity, I just want to see this exceptional young man have the same. Thank you and God Bless!

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My name is Ronald Karenzi and I am an international student from Uganda.  I moved to the United States in 2012, and I have been living with “host parents” since that time.  My desire to come to the United States was so that I could get a better education.  I am here via an Educational Visa.

I attended high school at Rock Creek Academy in Indiana.  During high school I was a member of the National Honor Society, Varsity basketball and soccer.  I graduated top three of my class in 2015 was the recipient of the James Holt Foundation scholarship.  I was also offered an athletic scholarship to play NCAA Division 2 basketball for Purdue University Northwest in the fall of 2015.

I am a Civil Engineering major having one semester remaining (Fall, 2019).  Since I am an international student, I’m not eligible for government assistance or student loans.  Any job I am eligible for must be in my field of study and approved by one of my professors.  I have gained much experience through internships with a local engineering firm, working there for the past 3 summers.  Those funds made up the difference that my athletic scholarship did not cover.  I am hopeful to get that job again this summer.  With that said, my athletic scholarship was only for 4 years so I will not have that assistance for my very last semester.  In addition, I must pay out of state tuition since I am not a U.S. citizen.

With the help of some very generous people and the funds I saved from my internship, along with the scholarship, all school expenses have been paid thus far.  I have one semester left to complete my undergraduate program, but presently I will not be able to complete due to lack of funds.  My tuition/room/board will run about $12,200 and if I am successful in obtaining the internship again this summer, I will still have a shortfall just over $7,000, depending upon how many hours I get to work.

Without the funds to complete my degree, I will lose my I-20 Student Visa right to be in the United States.  I would then be forced to return to the nation of Uganda.  This, although would not seem to be the end of the world for some people, it could be deadly for me.  In Uganda, my family has been politically persecuted for the past several years.

I am humbly asking for help that anyone can give in the form of a loan; I am not asking for charity.  I intend to apply for U.S. citizenship upon graduating.  In our current political environment in the United States,  we use a merit-based system of awarding American citizenship.  As a graduate of Purdue University and holding a degree in civil engineering, I will without a doubt be considered a top tier candidate for U. S citizenship.  My only goal is to ask for an investment in a future proud and great American, and not a gift of endowment or welfare. Any help I can get from my American friends and family will be truly appreciated.
 
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for anything you can do.  Every little bit will help and be greatly treasured.
 
With Love,

Ronald Karenzi

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Donations 

  • Pete Dixon
    • $20 
    • 5 yrs
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Organizer

Scott Kean Goodman
Organizer
Louisville, KY

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