Help Send Omar to University of Albany- MPA
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As a first generation international college student, son of a single-mother of two, from Namibia, Africa, pursuing my education in the USA has been financially insurmountable. However, I am beyond grateful for the phenomenal opportunities this country has afforded me and the platform it has given me to amplify subjugated voices. But I cannot close my chapter in the United States just yet. A Masters in Public Policy at the University at Albany will give me the academic tools to push my country forward.
“The tuition and living expenses at UAlbany amount to $25,000 a year for out-of-state students, however I have an outstanding bill at SUNY Oswego, amounting to $13,000 that is placing a hold on my ability to register at UAlbany. The Namibian Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) is only funding international students a maximum of N$65,000 (or $3,700 USD) and $0.00 for non-tuition fees (housing, food, textbooks). COVID-19 has made my academic journey in America even more difficult with a crusade against international students in the States, an inability to work off-campus, an inability to leave the United States and an inability to get private loans back home. With the Fall 2020 semester approaching, and harsh visa restrictions, the pursuit of my MPA degree is becoming increasing more bleak- unless I meet the financial requirements.” (Bill excerpt below)
My Story:
I am a soon-to-be-alum of SUNY Oswego, where I have been given a partial scholarship to pursue my BA in Political Science and Gender & Women's Studies, where I placed on the Dean's List for academic achievement and received the civil officer of the year award. This is a campus that crafted every belief in me to dream, discover and do in our Empire State. I know how blessed I am to study here, that is why from the onset of my freshman year I dedicated every waking moment to elevate marginalized and underrepresented student voices, advocate for a just society, and ensure equity rains down on every community around me. This is seen in my work as the first international Student Government Association President 2019, Junior Mayor of Walvis Bay 2015 and as a local campus/community activist, where I: worked to implement free & equal access to menstrual products on campus; eliminated 325,000 single-use plastics per semester from campus; ensured my campus closes the 65% funding gap for women's clubs sports; advocated for the DACA & LGBTQ+ community; assured racial inequity is eradicated from campus for students of colour; pushed for University Policing Reform across SUNY and organized the largest civil rights/Black Lives Matter protest in Oswego, NY. (Please visit links below to view my work)
My vehement passion for social justice stems from my upbringing as a grandson of liberation fighters in Apartheid Namibia and my criminalized gay-identity in a post-colonial African country. Hence, I made it my mandate to cultivate a society that is equal, just and fair. A society that grants everyone an equal opportunity to thrive. An opportunity that was not afforded to my coloured family during Apartheid, an opportunity that is not afforded to women in my country under a crusade of gender-based violence, an opportunity for low-income families and an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community. That is why I see it as my responsibility to dedicate my life's work to fight for the most vulnerable communities around me, because fighting for what's right is always worth it!
Hence, with your help I can pursue my Masters of Public Policy & Public Administration at the University at Albany and be armed with the tools to craft this very society more equal for all. My short time as an undergraduate student in America, and the advocacy work I have done, is evident in my dedication to this passion for progressive reform. However, the financial restrictions during this pandemic is the greatest battle I cannot overcome alone. As activists, it’s easy for us to fight for people around us- but hard for us to advocate for ourselves. With your help, you can advocate for me and make my mandate to push my country forward come true with this degree.
With your support to my graduate studies venture, you can make my American Dream come true: a degree that will allow me to enter public office and place service before self.
LINKS:
Oswego Protest Organizer from Namibia Follows in Family Footsteps for Racial Justice
Campaign Video
Namibian Youth Leader Eusebio Omar van Reenen is Leaving a Legacy at SUNY Oswego
Omar van Reenen is Fighting for What’s Right
The People’s Advocate
SA President Passes and Signs In Period Act
How Two SUNY Oswego Students are Making a Difference for Womens Club Sports
SUNY Oswego Students Organize Climate Strike
Oswego State SA Senator Elected To SUNY SA
Junior Mayor and Duneside Headboy Heads to 9th UNESCO Youth Forum in Paris France
Junior Mayor’s HIV Know Your Status Campaign
Junior Mayor Mass Blood Drive
Junior Mayor Holiday Message
“The tuition and living expenses at UAlbany amount to $25,000 a year for out-of-state students, however I have an outstanding bill at SUNY Oswego, amounting to $13,000 that is placing a hold on my ability to register at UAlbany. The Namibian Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) is only funding international students a maximum of N$65,000 (or $3,700 USD) and $0.00 for non-tuition fees (housing, food, textbooks). COVID-19 has made my academic journey in America even more difficult with a crusade against international students in the States, an inability to work off-campus, an inability to leave the United States and an inability to get private loans back home. With the Fall 2020 semester approaching, and harsh visa restrictions, the pursuit of my MPA degree is becoming increasing more bleak- unless I meet the financial requirements.” (Bill excerpt below)
My Story:
I am a soon-to-be-alum of SUNY Oswego, where I have been given a partial scholarship to pursue my BA in Political Science and Gender & Women's Studies, where I placed on the Dean's List for academic achievement and received the civil officer of the year award. This is a campus that crafted every belief in me to dream, discover and do in our Empire State. I know how blessed I am to study here, that is why from the onset of my freshman year I dedicated every waking moment to elevate marginalized and underrepresented student voices, advocate for a just society, and ensure equity rains down on every community around me. This is seen in my work as the first international Student Government Association President 2019, Junior Mayor of Walvis Bay 2015 and as a local campus/community activist, where I: worked to implement free & equal access to menstrual products on campus; eliminated 325,000 single-use plastics per semester from campus; ensured my campus closes the 65% funding gap for women's clubs sports; advocated for the DACA & LGBTQ+ community; assured racial inequity is eradicated from campus for students of colour; pushed for University Policing Reform across SUNY and organized the largest civil rights/Black Lives Matter protest in Oswego, NY. (Please visit links below to view my work)
My vehement passion for social justice stems from my upbringing as a grandson of liberation fighters in Apartheid Namibia and my criminalized gay-identity in a post-colonial African country. Hence, I made it my mandate to cultivate a society that is equal, just and fair. A society that grants everyone an equal opportunity to thrive. An opportunity that was not afforded to my coloured family during Apartheid, an opportunity that is not afforded to women in my country under a crusade of gender-based violence, an opportunity for low-income families and an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community. That is why I see it as my responsibility to dedicate my life's work to fight for the most vulnerable communities around me, because fighting for what's right is always worth it!
Hence, with your help I can pursue my Masters of Public Policy & Public Administration at the University at Albany and be armed with the tools to craft this very society more equal for all. My short time as an undergraduate student in America, and the advocacy work I have done, is evident in my dedication to this passion for progressive reform. However, the financial restrictions during this pandemic is the greatest battle I cannot overcome alone. As activists, it’s easy for us to fight for people around us- but hard for us to advocate for ourselves. With your help, you can advocate for me and make my mandate to push my country forward come true with this degree.
With your support to my graduate studies venture, you can make my American Dream come true: a degree that will allow me to enter public office and place service before self.
LINKS:
Oswego Protest Organizer from Namibia Follows in Family Footsteps for Racial Justice
Campaign Video
Namibian Youth Leader Eusebio Omar van Reenen is Leaving a Legacy at SUNY Oswego
Omar van Reenen is Fighting for What’s Right
The People’s Advocate
SA President Passes and Signs In Period Act
How Two SUNY Oswego Students are Making a Difference for Womens Club Sports
SUNY Oswego Students Organize Climate Strike
Oswego State SA Senator Elected To SUNY SA
Junior Mayor and Duneside Headboy Heads to 9th UNESCO Youth Forum in Paris France
Junior Mayor’s HIV Know Your Status Campaign
Junior Mayor Mass Blood Drive
Junior Mayor Holiday Message
Organizer
Chelsi Shikongo
Organizer
Oswego, NY