Help Me Become a Healthcare Professional in Madagascar

Hello

My name is Yanisha Mélanie. I am from Madagascar. I am currently an online student at BYU-Idaho (Brigham Young University). For the past two years, I have dedicated all my energy to achieving my dream: becoming a qualified healthcare professional to care for the most vulnerable populations in my country.

In Madagascar, improving medical care is a critical necessity. I grew up witnessing loved ones suffer and even die – not due to a lack of dedication from healthcare professionals, but because medical training opportunities are extremely limited, leading to a severe shortage of qualified personnel. Faced with this reality, I made it my personal goal and lifetime vision to get qualified abroad and to then return to Madagascar to make a difference for those in need.

A nursing degree from the United States will provide me with the knowledge and expertise needed to provide quality healthcare to Malagasy patients by applying modern medical protocols, and to train future healthcare professionals.

Why I Chose BYU

I chose BYU because it is a highly respected university which provides high-quality education at a much more affordable cost than many other American universities. My decision was not based on religious reasons. BYU welcomes students of all faiths, and it offers a rigorous education that aligns perfectly with my career goals.

The Challenges of Studying Online in Madagascar

Pursuing an online education from Madagascar was a real struggle. Over the past years, I have had to overcome numerous daily challenges. Frequent power outages make accessing courses and submitting assignments difficult. I have often studied by candlelight, waiting for electricity to return. Unstable and expensive internet access is another major obstacle: without Wi-Fi at home, I had to rely on limited mobile data or study in noisy cybercafés, where loading a single page can take several minutes. And during the cyclone season, everything gets even more difficult – while academic deadlines remain unchanged.

Furthermore, since Madagascar is a French-speaking country, I had to learn English to follow my online courses and sit the exams.

What I Have Accomplished So Far

Despite all these difficulties, I never gave up!

✅ After years of hard work and perseverance, I have earned an Associate Degree in Applied Health from BYU. With a GPA of 3.56 out of 4, my grades by far exceed the requirement.

✅ I have been accepted into the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program (https://nursing.byu.edu/).

Thus, I have reached the first major milestone in achieving my dream!

My Need for Funding to Achieve My Dream

The nursing program will last for five years, with the first year dedicated to an intensive English course to improve my language proficiency.

As an international student, I am not allowed to work during the first two semesters of year one. I have explored every possible option of funding but despite all my efforts, I have not been able to secure the necessary funds.

Currently, I need $14,000 to cover these first two semesters, including $5,600 for tuition and $8,400 for housing, food, health insurance, and books (https://elc.byu.edu/).

That is why I am reaching out to you today. Every donation, no matter how small, brings me closer to my goal. Simply sharing this campaign can make a huge difference. If you know of scholarships or funding opportunities, your help would be invaluable.

As soon as I am allowed to work besides studying, I will do so and also explore every further possibility to obtain a scholarship!

My Commitment

I understand that some of you may have concerns about how the funds will be used or whether I will be a serious and dedicated student. That is why Eva Keller, a social anthropologist, has kindly offered to act as a referee for me. She has known me my entire life, as she has been part of my family since 1998. Eva can personally attest to my dedication, my work ethic, and my sincere commitment to making a positive change in Madagascar.

Once I graduate, I will return to Madagascar to use my skills to serve the most vulnerable populations. Thus your support will not only fund my education, it will also help improve the long-term quality of care in Madagascar and ultimately save lives.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generosity and support!

Yanisha Mélanie