Help me get to Case Western
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I’m Phila Dlamini, a recent graduate of Li Po Chun United World College. I live in Mpumalanga, South Africa, and I’m currently destined to study computer science at Case Western Reserve University in the US.
Growing up attending a government school in rural South Africa, where a lack of resources limited my exploration, it wasn’t until Imagine Scholar that my world exploded: for at this afterschool program, I discovered myself intellectually, and made the lifelong commitment to transform myself and my community. At Imagine Scholar, there was a culture and celebration of learning, and everyone pushed themselves out of their comfort zone to pursue their passions. For me, computers were the thing that sparked my interest. I had a burning passion for programming, and being without a mentor who could coach me and whom I’d go to for questions ‒ I would spend my free time watching online tutorials and reading articles, learning to code. My fascination with programming came from the power that, I felt, it gave me: the power to solve problems and bring about change. Indeed, as I continued to learn and started building mobile apps, it started being very clear to me that I could use programming, and computer science in its whole, to bring about change to the community I grew up in. The goal was to go to college in the US and pursue this newfound passion of mine.
Gaining a full scholarship to attend Li Po Chun UWC got me closer to that dream. For once here, I had access to the resources and opportunities I needed, making it all easier to reach my goals. And as my horizons broadened as I learned more about the world in this diverse community, my appreciation for the donors and all those who had helped me get here grew, for through their meaningful donations, I’d been afforded the experience that is a UWC. In my appreciation, I vouched to pay it forward.
Hard work pays off, I often say to myself. And in a way, it has for me: I was awarded a full scholarship from Case Western to study computer science at their institution. Unfortunately, however, the scholarship doesn’t cover the estimated $2000 in transportation costs, as well as the $510 for a student visa. Coming from a household with a barely sufficient income hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve always refused for my struggles to hold me back. So instead of seeing this as a letdown, I’ve chosen to rise to the challenge and ask for your help.
I appeal to anyone who can help. Please help me get to Case Western by assisting me cover my flight ticket and visa costs. Any amount helps!
Your donation would help me get closer to achieving my dreams and potential.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and kindness.
Growing up attending a government school in rural South Africa, where a lack of resources limited my exploration, it wasn’t until Imagine Scholar that my world exploded: for at this afterschool program, I discovered myself intellectually, and made the lifelong commitment to transform myself and my community. At Imagine Scholar, there was a culture and celebration of learning, and everyone pushed themselves out of their comfort zone to pursue their passions. For me, computers were the thing that sparked my interest. I had a burning passion for programming, and being without a mentor who could coach me and whom I’d go to for questions ‒ I would spend my free time watching online tutorials and reading articles, learning to code. My fascination with programming came from the power that, I felt, it gave me: the power to solve problems and bring about change. Indeed, as I continued to learn and started building mobile apps, it started being very clear to me that I could use programming, and computer science in its whole, to bring about change to the community I grew up in. The goal was to go to college in the US and pursue this newfound passion of mine.
Gaining a full scholarship to attend Li Po Chun UWC got me closer to that dream. For once here, I had access to the resources and opportunities I needed, making it all easier to reach my goals. And as my horizons broadened as I learned more about the world in this diverse community, my appreciation for the donors and all those who had helped me get here grew, for through their meaningful donations, I’d been afforded the experience that is a UWC. In my appreciation, I vouched to pay it forward.
Hard work pays off, I often say to myself. And in a way, it has for me: I was awarded a full scholarship from Case Western to study computer science at their institution. Unfortunately, however, the scholarship doesn’t cover the estimated $2000 in transportation costs, as well as the $510 for a student visa. Coming from a household with a barely sufficient income hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve always refused for my struggles to hold me back. So instead of seeing this as a letdown, I’ve chosen to rise to the challenge and ask for your help.
I appeal to anyone who can help. Please help me get to Case Western by assisting me cover my flight ticket and visa costs. Any amount helps!
Your donation would help me get closer to achieving my dreams and potential.
Thank you in advance for your generosity and kindness.
Organizer and beneficiary
Phila Dlamini
Organizer
Santa Rosa, CA
Imagine Scholar
Beneficiary