Hello everyone, I am reaching out to see if you can help me raise some funds to assist a dear friend of mine, Paige Labuschagne, who is trying to save money for an opportunity to travel to the United States from Africa as an au pair (nanny), and earn money towards a college education.
I have known Paige since 2002 when I moved to Namibia to work on my first giraffe conservation project. Paige’s family was one of the first residents from my little town of Outjo, Namibia that invited me over, befriended me, continuously fed me, introduced me to the area, took care of me when I was sick, assisted me with anything they could to make my stay in Africa as pleasant as possible, along with making me feel like part of their family. I am truly thankful for their kindness, and the support that they extended to me, never asking or taking any money in return.
When Paige was younger her family’s business had a terrible fire, and with nothing in the way of insurance to rebuild, it left them in a third-world, economically poor country for years struggling to house and feed a family of four children. As soon as Paige could she started working to try and earn money to help her family, but with wages way below the standard that we are used to here in the states, it has never been enough to further herself as a young woman. Paige has never been outside of Namibia and is now looking to see if getting an opportunity to work in the United States as an au pair will give her that chance.
Paige is looking to register with the Au Pair USA (https://www.ovc.co.za/pages/Aupair.asp), which will place her with a carefully screened American family, and allow her to have room & board, earn a weekly stipend, and money towards education. Paige is doing her best to try and help her parents, brothers and sister, and herself to better their lives after so many years of barely making it by.
On my last visit to Namibia, Paige shyly told me about this opportunity that she was wanting to try and pursue, but it was going to be a very hard financial burden on her family. Since Africa doesn’t have the capability to set up a GoFundMe page, I told her I would set one up and reach out to all my thoughtful and caring friends and family to see if we could help!
To pay for the program fee, administrative costs, visa fees, transportation to and accommodation in Windhoek (Namibian capital), medical clearance costs, first aid course, course training expenses, money for suitable luggage, warmer clothing, and some initial spending money she will need about $N42,000 Namibian dollars, equaling about USD $2,500.
I appreciate your time to look over this story about Paige. Hopefully, we might be able to come together to help give this wonderful young woman the opportunity to further her career, her education, to bring a delightful and caring nanny to children here in the US, and for Paige to give back to her family that has loved and cared for her.