Help Ntombi Study at Fordham University 2024

Hi, my name is Ntombi Mbele. I am a young South African economist who has been selected to participate in Fordham University's prestigious Emerging Markets Program in the summer of 2024. I am excited to be part of this year's dynamic cohort and am looking forward to learning and sharing my expertise and knowledge of emerging markets with my fellow international peers . However, I need your help getting there...

Here is my story:

As a black South African, like many in my community, I grew up as an orphan living in abject poverty. I quickly recognized the importance of education and its ability to change the trajectory of my family and I's life. I began questioning how the social construct of poverty and inequality can co-exist so well in a world full of wealth and access to opportunity and decided to make it my life's mission to answer the question of economic disparity and social injustice as a way to equilibrate the playing field.

This led to me getting a bursary to study at a multiracial high school in the upper suburban community which further exposed and gave me access to getting student aid to study economics at university level. I studied for my Economics Undergraduate and Master's degree at the University of Johannesburg and maintained an overall aggregate of 75% in my courses.

My exposure to international economics made me even more inquisitive and propelled me to conduct research to understand why emerging markets struggle to elevate the development of their communities in manner that is sustainable as compared to their developed counterparts. Having become a studious learner in pursuit of demystifying economics, I applied to Fordham University's Emerging Markets Program to better understand and equip myself to assist emerging economies with the complexities of their developmental agenda and ensure that the dignity of marginalized communities is restored.

How will I Fund this Course:

The course fee, which includes flights from South Africa, accommodation, tuition, and living expenses, is a sum total of $5800. Unfortunately, due to limited financial resources, the related expenses pose a significant challenge for me.

I have managed to raise $1111 thus far towards the cost of the program. This creates a shortfall of $4689 to which I humbly request your assistance to raise. I understand the power of community and believe in its ability to assist me in achieving my academic dreams. The funds are required to be paid on the 14th of May 2024 which gives me a very tight deadline to raise tuition fees. I know that every dollar / rand counts and believe that we can collectively #TakeNtombitoFordham.

Thank you for support.