Keep Patricia's Dream Alive

Hi, my name is Patricia Rutto.  I am an international student from Kenya and a rising Junior at USC Upstate in Spartanburg, SC. I am currently majoring in Accounting. I’m a hard worker and my dream is to finish my degree in America.  Recently, I found out that I lost my student housing for this coming semester because I still owe $10,000 for last semester.  My parents in Kenya are trying their best to keep me in school.  They have made tremendous sacrifices.  The exchange rate between USD and Kenyan currency makes this process extremely difficult.  (For example, 100 Kenyan shillings is equal to 1 US dollar.  With 200 shillings, I could buy a week's worth of groceries for a family of six in Kenya.  In comparison, 2 dollars in the US might buy two candy bars.)  I have talked to my parents several times over the last two weeks about this situation.  At this point, they are doing everything they know to do to pay off last semester but their efforts are falling short.  Moreover, they are unsure at this point if they will be able to finish paying for my next two years.  Due to my international status, I am considered an out-of-state student with considerably higher tuition and I do not qualify for any US grants or scholarships.  And due to my student visa, I cannot work outside of campus.  I work as I am able on campus, but it brings in very little money throughout the year.  So my hands are tied in many ways.  I have been praying about what to do in order to stay in school.  It’s humbling to ask for help, but at this point, I don’t have many options left.  I must raise at least $10,000 by August 20, 2018, in order to regain student housing and start school in the fall.  I set my goal at $40,000 to hopefully cover most of the costs of tuition and housing for the next two years.  It would really mean a lot to me and my family back home to be able to finish and graduate with my bachelor's degree in America.  Please consider supporting me with ANY GIFT so I can finish school.  No gift is too small. Thank you so much.  God bless you! ~Patricia R. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or imagine, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” -Ephesians 3:20-21