Help Tyra Afford to Study Abroad for the Summer

My name is Kabugo Tyra Nassali, and I am fundraising to attend a summer residential course abroad that will hopefully pave way for later university admission. I am kindly asking you to consider contributing to this fund to cover the remaining 80% of my course fees and additional costs of my study abroad. 

While I intend to leave a permanent mark on history with my words, it can be daunting at times, too. So daunting that the only way to move forward is to invite others along this journey to cover the exorbitant costs my family’s financial situation cannot meet.

Growing up in Uganda, I've always had a passion for writing and literature. I cannot attempt to pinpoint the exact moment I decided to read past the required books as a seven-year-old, or when I sat to craft my first children's fiction plot-line. If I did, it would be like a cloud trying to trace back its history: from the mist a river offered up in heat as a prayer of thanks, to the rain that birthed it. Some marvels command a certain level of awe that we await for the beauty of the cycle's unravelling.

In pursuit of my goal, I've traversed the realms of children's literature, short stories, visual media, poetry, and creative nonfiction to test and refine my craft. Doing this has helped me find and grow my voice to a place where I began to partake in competitions. I've focused mainly on essay writing these past years to address critical issues (such as the climate crisis) in my society through prose. My determination to continue honing my skills has recently been rewarded a 20% partial scholarship I won to a summer course program hosted by Immerse Education.

This opportunity would not only expose me to world-class instruction in creative writing, but also introduce me to the world’s academia network — unlocking new possibilities whilst broadening my horizon with a fresh perspective and tapping into a network of like-minded people and mentors. I am confident within my soul that this course will be life-changing and an invaluable next step in my career path. Such opportunities are not available in Uganda, and so you can only imagine what it would mean for me to glean the knowledge I've craved for years and is now waiting in my lap.

By contributing to this fund, you will be making a significant impact on my journey and my future of telling African stories. Your donation, big or small, will afford me the opportunity to further develop my writing skills and gain valuable experience in a new and inspiring environment and community. I believe the ripple effect of this gift will be felt for generations to come.