A Brighter Future For Dani
Donation protected
Update as of 25/07/2022:
Message from Dani:
Hi everyone,
A lot has changed since Sienie started this gofundme to help me study my Master's degree in London. Life is unpredictable and doesn't always make room for your ambitions.
I won’t be able to move to the UK anytime soon. After a year of illness and multiple ICU admissions, my dad has become permanently disabled and cannot work. I’m currently the breadwinner for my family of 6 and can’t afford to take time away from work.
On the bright side, I have the opportunity to study a Master’s in Global Mental Health as a distance learning program. That way I will continue earning an income while furthering my studies.
As my last request to you, I ask that you help me pay for my first semester. In need another £700 to make the full payment.
Thank you to those who have already come to my aid. I can’t promise that my education will change the world, but it will change the lives of the people I help along the way. I will repay your kindness with kindness.
Thank you,
Dani
Februari 2021:
Hello everyone!
My name is Sien and I’m making this gofundme is for my dearest Dani, who needs to relocate from South Africa to London to start her masters degree. She has applied to a few scholarships and is awaiting the outcome, but even with these scholarships, she will not be able to cover her tuition fees, let alone living costs. All funds raised will go directly to her and will be used solely to fund her VISA application costs, tuition fees and living costs. Please help me give her this opportunity and the safety and security that comes with it.
THE STORY:
Dani holds an unconditional offer to study for a master's degree at SOAS University London. Thanks to the support we've received so far, she has been able to pay the deposit of £1000 and secure her place. She will be studying medical anthropology with a focus on mental health. As someone who suffers from bipolar disorder, she dreams of helping find better ways to think about and treat mental illness.
This past December, Dani graduated as a medical doctor. Traditionally, graduates enter a compulsory 2-year internship programme before they can practice independently. Dani hoped to save money from this first job to help fund her studies. Still, unfortunately, she was stripped of this opportunity by her government (Thanks to the misappropriation of public funds and poor administration, many healthcare workers are without jobs). She has been trying to help support her family by tutoring, but this has barely been enough to get by. She cannot afford the exuberant international tuition fees or cover the cost of relocating by herself. She has applied to a few scholarships, and we are awaiting the outcome, but none of them will cover the total cost of her studies.
Honestly, I fear for her safety and mental health because she does not live in very safe or nurturing circumstances. As mentioned before, all the funds raised will be used for the steps she needs to take to fulfill her dream and get to safety. This includes Tier 4 student visa application costs, IELTS test, possibly course fees, and travel expenses. You can find a more detailed breakdown of the costs below. It would be a shame to let a fantastic opportunity that she has worked towards for many years go to waste because of a financial barrier.
Paypal donations possible!!!:sienddh@/outlook.com (without the "/")
A thank you note from Dani:
"Dear friends
I am writing a thank you note that is long overdue. You see, it's difficult for me to accept things that I don't feel like I've earned, but it would be an insult to your kindness not to accept the outpouring of love and support you've given me these past few weeks. Every day, I am in awe of you who give so freely of whatever little you have to support me. Please know that you are supporting my right to learn, my right to love and my right to freedom. I am grateful beyond words. I'll work hard to make sure your efforts aren't in vain. "
Disclaimers:
- This page has been made with Dani's full consent and she will be actively supervising it alongside me.
- Dani's face and full name intentionally aren't shown because we want to protect her privacy as much as possible, there could be serious and harmful consequences if people in her immediate environment found out about this fundraiser. We would kindly like to ask you to be discreet and mindful.
A PERSONAL NOTE:
It has been devastating to watch someone who is so dear to me grow increasingly isolated and hopeless. It's heartbreaking to have it lead to this moment where all other options are exhausted. We didn't want it to come to this but at this point I'm growing increasingly fearful for her safety. So I'm humbly reaching out and asking you for help. Whether you simply share this page, or donate even just a single pound. It makes an immense difference. More than anything, it creates hope. And hope is something we desperately need a little bit of right now. Thank you. With all my heart.
- Sien
REFERENCES:
We understand it can be difficult to trust stories without substantial proof, especially considering we have censored Dani's full identity, so hopefully you'll find enough in this list:
1. Scholarship application
2. University application
COST BREAKDOWN:
- IELTS Test: £237
- Tier 4 Student VISA application:
> Application costs: £348
> Proof of money to support herself (£1,334/month for up to 9 months): £12 000
= £12 348
ONLY IN CASE SCHOLARSHIPS FALL THROUGH:
+ Proof of money for course fees: £22 000
= £34 348
- Flights: approximately £500
(I personally intend to fund (at the very least) her flight tickets and IELTS test costs.)
CONTACT:
Please feel free to contact us directly anytime:
e-mail: [email redacted]
*SOURCES:
Background on the South-African internship system for junior doctors and its flaws:
2. www.medicalbrief.co.za/archives/sas-junior-doctors-experience-another-year-of-bungled-placements/
Organizer
Sien D
Organizer
England