Help me pay my schooling

Iakwe aolep,

I am a United World College graduate that earned the wonderful privilege to be the first Marshallese in the founding class of UWC Robert Bosch College, Germany on a fully funded academic scholarship. There I had the advantage of engaging world leaders in panel discussions through opportunities such as the 2015 Paris United Nations Climate Change Conference to represent and advocate for my country.  Five months ago, I received my acceptance letter to University of Waikato in Hamilton, New Zealand where I will be majoring in Pacific and Indigenous Studies and minoring in Women and Gender Studies. I feel extremely blessed for an opportunity to pursue a Bachelor's degree for the next three years in one of New Zealand’s highest ranked at the top 1.1% in the world in the latest QS World University Rankings. I hope to return to my island to apply what I have learned and to further perpetuate the development of my home.


However, after I received my acceptance to the University of Waikato, the scholarship I applied for unfortunately decided to not fund my schooling, so this has left me in this very worrisome predicament. As soon as I start my classes I intend to work student jobs in New Zealand to help pay the additional fees that may not have been covered upon commencement. However, I am still left with the initial funds needed to pay for this starting semester.


The cost of schooling will include tuition, school supplies, health insurance, and housing and this amounts to $19,452.16. If I fail to collect enough funds I would sadly be forced to forfeit my position and my education. I am turning to you for your assistance because my family cannot assist me financially. Although my family cannot fund my education, we are not poor as my family has given me many riches in the shape of important life lessons, a wonderful sense of strength and love and I am grateful because I get to take this along with me on my journeys.


I am scheduled to be in New Zealand on 2 July 2018, which means that I only have a month left in the Marshall Islands and I will need as much help as I can get in this short period of time which puts me at a disadvantage more and this is why I am approaching community leaders like yourself for any type of financial assistance that will allow me  to commence my tertiary education.
 
I have put Beverly Newoj Johnson, a dear friend of mine, as my beneficiary. The reason being I do not have a US bank card and a US phone number. Beverly has kindly agreed to be my beneficiary so that I have means of receiving the donations from GoFundMe. Therefore GoFundMe sends the money to her and transfers it to my bank account.


Please help this small island girl with big dreams. Any amount you are happy to donate will be truly and greatly appreciated.


Komool tata,

Selina Neirok Leem