Please help this old gal's dream come true
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Hi, my name is Phillippa, an international student from South Africa, currently doing my Bachelor of Education (Primary) at Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth.
The funds raised will be paid directly to the university solely for tuition fees.
The funds raised will be paid directly to the university solely for tuition fees.
Why am I asking for help? I came over to Australia as an international student to be closer to my sister and her children while I was studying. Then Covid happened, and everything changed unexpectedly in my world, and all my plans had to change with that. I am now trying to put myself through Uni, and it is financially challenging because the international student fees are high. I have been working part-time as much as I can to pay my way, but I am struggling.
I am currently working in Disability Support on weekends and as an OSHCLUB Educator when I have free days or shifts available. In addition, I have been taking part in an International Student Ambassador program at ECU for a few months. I also have temporary part-time work in the Communications Centre as well as the Academic Skills Centre at ECU.
A little background information and some insight into why I am studying teaching and why I am quite passionate about learning... My story leading up to becoming a student...
In 2007, I was poisoned through medication, which made me extremely ill. I had organ failure and severe neurological damage. The doctors called my parents in and told them I only had three months to live... fortunately, I was tougher than I looked, and I pulled through. I had a hard road to recovery ahead though.
For a long time, I only had about a 30 second memory span, I could not always remember my name, could not give you my address, was unable to drive and had to be looked after like a child. I had to re-learn how to read, to write to count to 10. There were times where I had to be fed because I didn’t have the ability to bring a fork to my mouth. Times where I would make grunting sounds to communicate, because I couldn't get words out or speak in sentences.
My mother was a teacher and she started doing little things with me to try and get my brain busy again. This started a 15 year journey of recovery. As I recovered, I did a lot of research on neuroplasticity and have been applying the principles consistently, to the point that I'm now at university. I have got a average weighted mark above 80%, and I'm working at the same time as studying. It isn't easy. I've got to work much harder than other people, and have had to find strategies to learn. But, I am tenacious and resilient, determined and focused. I want to do well. Despite these challenges, I really strive to do my work with excellence
A little background information and some insight into why I am studying teaching and why I am quite passionate about learning... My story leading up to becoming a student...
In 2007, I was poisoned through medication, which made me extremely ill. I had organ failure and severe neurological damage. The doctors called my parents in and told them I only had three months to live... fortunately, I was tougher than I looked, and I pulled through. I had a hard road to recovery ahead though.
For a long time, I only had about a 30 second memory span, I could not always remember my name, could not give you my address, was unable to drive and had to be looked after like a child. I had to re-learn how to read, to write to count to 10. There were times where I had to be fed because I didn’t have the ability to bring a fork to my mouth. Times where I would make grunting sounds to communicate, because I couldn't get words out or speak in sentences.
My mother was a teacher and she started doing little things with me to try and get my brain busy again. This started a 15 year journey of recovery. As I recovered, I did a lot of research on neuroplasticity and have been applying the principles consistently, to the point that I'm now at university. I have got a average weighted mark above 80%, and I'm working at the same time as studying. It isn't easy. I've got to work much harder than other people, and have had to find strategies to learn. But, I am tenacious and resilient, determined and focused. I want to do well. Despite these challenges, I really strive to do my work with excellence
I hope to have some pressure taken off by getting assistance for this next semester. I will keep working and paying what I can to get ahead with my fees. The total needed for the remainder of my degree is about $65,000 (this includes a scholarship deduction). It would be amazing to collect enough to pay for my next semester of 2022, which will be $13,056
I want to make difference for the children who struggle to learn.
I want to make difference for the children who struggle to learn.
Organizer
Phillippa Combrink
Organizer
Perth WA
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