Help Kenyon Student Return to Campus for Semester

My name is Marisa Phoeung, a scholar from Cambodia and a rising sophomore at Kenyon College. I was working on campus since the start of summer when I received grave news of my father's passing on June 15th. He struggled with renal failure for many years. The reason I stayed on campus and work was primarily to earn enough money and send it home to help with his treatment.

Due to covid, the company branch my mother worked at, Artisan Angkor, has been permanently shut down. My father who suffered from renal failure was also unemployed. My uncle has lent money to cover my tuition expenses; however, I will be expected to cover taxes, living expenses, and a part of my tuition in this upcoming academic year. Initially, I had no plans of returning home for the funeral because flight tickets are too high, but friends and coworkers encouraged me to go back home and grieve with my family.

Kenyon was able to cover my flights to Cambodia but due to miscommunication, I was told recently that I have to take out a loan for my ticket back home.

Tickets are incredibly expensive, especially for a student and a family who have exhausted their funds on medical expenses as well as the funeral. I have not yet properly grieved and found a place to allow my father to rest in peace; now, I have to also worry about going back to school and paying back a loan I cannot afford.

Anything you can donate would be greatly appreciated so I can return back to Kenyon to continue my education.

Thanks,

Marisa