#Help Send Sophia Back to School!#

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world. “  Nelson Mandela

Hello,

I am setting up this GoFundMe page in the hopes that enough money can be raised to send my 8-year old niece, Sophia, back to school.

My family and I have the luxury of living in a country where, if we choose to send our children to non-private schools, we don’t have to pay for them to become educated at an elementary or high school level (that’s 14 to 15 years’ worth of free education - i.e. Junior Kindergarten through to Grade 12/13).

My sister, Kim, is not as fortunate!  She lives in a country where the government now imposes fees on all non-private schools (i.e., public government-run schools). Regrettably, with costs of gas/petrol, electricity and food going up on an almost bi-monthly basis in South Africa, my sister, who is a single mother and with limited funds, is no longer able to afford Sophia’s school fees.  While home-schooling is an option, again, there are fees and something my sister still cannot afford at this time.

Sophia was to be entering Grade 3 this year.  She is a bright, intelligent child who has a zest for learning, loved attending school and was tagged by her teachers as being a gifted student.  While it’s certainly important to get an education, it’s also important for children to socialize and interact with one another – unfortunately, Sophia is missing out on this as well!

Currently, Sophia is spending her days at home, with little to no interaction with other children, and doing whatever work my sister can find for her Grade level.

It’s disheartening and upsetting to hear when a child cannot get an education and it’s especially the case when it hits close to home.  Any financial support that anyone can give, even if it’s a few dollars, would mean the world to my sister and Sophia.  Thank you.