From Madagascar to Harvard Grad — Support Kanto Raveloson!

Thank you for being here! Growing up in Madagascar, opportunities were scarce and education is often out of reach. After completing high school back home, I dreamed of continuing my education abroad. However, my family couldn’t afford it, so I took a gap year to work and eventually enrolled at a community college in California.

Without parental support, I’ve been working to support myself — while also helping my family and my sister back home getting an education, rent, and food. This journey has not been easy. I’ve faced housing insecurity, food insecurity, and many challenges while studying and working.

Despite all that, I was blessed with a full scholarship at my community college covering my tuition and then received a full-ride scholarship to transfer to UC Berkeley to complete my bachelor’s degree, for which I am immensely grateful!

My journey from Madagascar to the U.S. has been possible because of all the people who have been supporting and believing in me and my mission in education!

So today, I’m asking for your support again — this time, to support me in pursuing a Masters at Harvard.

Why this degree?

I chose the Masters in Education Policy and Analysis because I want to become an expert in the field of Education and work to make quality education more accessible in low- and middle-income countries like Madagascar.

4 years ago, I founded a youth-led nonprofit, Better Tomorrow Global, focused on education. Our work has been recognized by Prince Harry through the Diana Award. We’ve impacted 1,500+ youth and mobilized over 400 volunteers across 9 countries.

Now, I’ve been offered the opportunity to take this mission in education to the next level — but I need your help to get there.

My story is just one example of the power of community and resilience. This degree is for my community back home, paving the way for more people from Madagascar to pursue higher education.

This degree is also for my mom, who didn’t get to finish high school and all my family members as well, who don’t have the opportunity to go to school.

Lastly, it is for all the youth who dream of access to education but face barriers.

Your resilience, compassion, and determination shape me and my journey to make quality education more accessible for all!

How to support?

If you are able to support me in any way, I would be deeply grateful.

If you aren’t able to donate, you can also support by sharing my story and this fundraising with others.

Thank you so much for being here and for your generous support!

Lots of love,

Kanto

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❓Questions:

1. How much is the cost for your degree at Harvard? The total cost of attendance for this Masters is 102,190 USD but the tuition is $62,244 USD. I invite you to visit the Harvard EPA page to learn more. I received a scholarship of $40,000 from Harvard, which leaves me with 62,190 USD to raise.

2. What about other scholarships? Did you apply for them? Yes, I have applied to many of them and unfortunately didn’t get selected. There aren’t many scholarships I am eligible for but I am continuing to search.

3. Why Harvard? I was accepted to other schools such as Stanford, but Harvard’s program is my top choice. It offers the best fit for my academic and professional goals. Then, after comparing the costs, Harvard is the most affordable (yes, unbelievable…).

If you have any other questions, please feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn.

If you can think of other ways to support or to afford it, I would love to hear from you as well. Thank you again for your support!

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Links

1. Acceptance Letter

2. My LinkedIn

Thank you so much!!!