Tracey is a young woman who lives in South Africa. I was introduced to her through a pen pal program with my students years ago. Showing great resilience, she reached out to me when she hit hard times, asking for my assistance to attend university. She is from a rural area, and has virtually no support. I helped her with some of her tuition and fees, and she has graduated with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology ... but only sort of.

Since she still owes the University of Venda just under $2,000, she cannot receive her degree or transcripts until it is paid. To top it off, the university has apparently hired collections agencies to go after owed fees. (I discovered this on their website, as she recently reached out to me quite concerned.)

Since graduating, she has been trying to raise the funds to pay the university the amount owed, so she can apply for jobs using her degree. I helped her take a short course in gel manicures, and purchase supplies to set up a personal business, but there was an accident and she got powder in her eyes, which resulted in a pretty scary and miserable few weeks. (No decent free medical care in South Africa, so I sent money for transport and treatment at a private clinic, and she did recover after a couple of months.)

Then she found a promising job with an energy company a few hours away, with a housing stipend — but she had to pay for transport and her first month's rent. (I sent money to get her settled, and she was very hopeful that this would allow her to save up and pay off her university debt.) Well, this job turned out to be coal mining! She was working underground, and after a few weeks developed a painful rash all over her body. The company bosses told her she was having an allergic reaction to something in the coal. No such thing as worker's comp over there, and no employer-provided health care. She had to give up that job. The public clinic could not help her, so it was back to the private clinic, where she was told she had developed a bad case of eczema. I sent money for the creams she was prescribed, and after a few months and the return of cooler weather, her symptoms have improved somewhat. But she still has bad itching, and this will probably be a lifelong affliction.

Now Tracey is trying again to raise the funds to pay off her outstanding fees. She has been selling sweets and juice, and has made about $80 dollars. But the university has given a deadline of April 15 to pay half of what she owes, which comes to $1,000. (I'm actually not sure what they are threatening if she cannot do it.)

I share all of this so you can understand how hard she has been trying. However, she needs help — especially with this looming deadline. I know we all have so many worries right now, but I invite you to join me in trying to make a difference for this young woman.

In her own words:

"My name is Tracey Marianne. I am currently facing a financial crisis. I am owing the institution an amount of R 34,361 [USD $1,900]. Please help me raise the amount in order for me to receive my degree. Any amount will be greatly appreciated."

Thank you for your caring.