Help Stephanie finish first half of Medical School

OVERVIEW
My name is Stephanie and I am a second-year Medical school student at St. George’s University, I need your help to complete this year and not have to drop out.

At the beginning of the year, I was supposed to resume classes and begin prepping for professional exams, but my school wouldn’t let me register because of an overdue balance in my account from the previous semester. My only option was to take a leave of absence for the spring semester (Jan 2020- Jun 2020} There is a timeline set to finish this first part of medical school and that clock runs out for me at the end of the year. I need to pay the balance and the fee for the semester at the end of the first week of August and take the semester before time runs out.

If I do not pay these fees and take the semester; I would have to forfeit all fees and coursework for the semesters previously taken and be automatically withdrawn from the University. I would not be able to pursue my dream of becoming a doctor, my way of changing the world and therefore I need your help to make dream my possible


My Story
This story begins with a dream that evolves into something beautiful and has now come to this very saddening pause because of a lack of funds. I ask that  you take a few minutes of your day to walk in my shoes and understand why I need your help, why I need you donate to this cause and share it with you friends and family

I come from a family of six and we live in Nigeria. My father is a private contractor and my mum works as an educator in Nigeria. Up Until recently, we were able to pay a significant amount of the fees in time to register while the balance was set to be paid in installments ,but now with the pandemic coupled the fact public loans and not available to international students and the continuous devalue of the Naira; my family has not been able to pay the fee amount. The overdue installments, late fees and the fee for the semester.

Going to Medical school abroad was an absolute dream come true for me; It was the very next purposeful step to serving my passion which is Children. Ensuring that they have the very best quality of life, that they are fed, educated and healthy. I felt especially called to be a pediatrician, to ensure that as many children have the best healthcare possible.

 I completed my first degree in 2014 and the plan was to go to Medical school, but the funds were not available at that time, so I found a job working for a Non-profit Organization that catered to children’s needs. The major way that I wanted to improve children’s life was through medicine, it is at the epicenter of my goal to improve the lives of the little humans. You may wonder why I did not pursue this dream in Nigeria, the reason is because it was in best interest to get the best education and we could afford it at the time

 As the operations manager of the Non-profit, we found disenfranchised children in remote areas as well as in towns that were out of school and granted them scholarships for their education, we started a pre-entry program that made it easier for the children to fit back into the Nigerian school system. We hosted clothing/books drives bi-monthly and we gave the proceeds from the drives to different children from different background by hosting parties where we provided food as well. The best part of this job was that we got to bring lots of people together to solve a need in the society, I got to immerse myself into different cultures, people and lifestyles, most importantly we got to make children smile and be happy. It was indeed a joy to be a part of and a beautiful thing to see.

A few years later, I got a call from my parents saying a job had come through and the money for medical school was available and I was elated. I was getting the opportunity to study abroad and become a pediatrician, the thought of bettering myself in that way.  I was in love with my job and adding that degree, that skill would not only better me but influence the capacity in which I could impact Children lives and the world. I was ready and I knew what I was going to do once I was a Doctor. I was going to create a foundation just like the one I worked at but on a larger scale. It was going to have a free clinic for children in under served communities in Nigeria and with time anywhere else there was a need. In these communities, jobs would be provided through the clinic and there will be so many opportunities. I understand that this is very ambitious, but this is the dream, this is the goal.

This Campaign is my last resort and I still believe I will finish this journey; I am ready and the plan has not changed, the thought of coming this far to not finish is frightening. The obstacle before me is the fees that will not let me complete my studies. I need you to know that the money donated, every dollar will not be a waste because I will work, you all will be part of the makings of a great doctor

I understand that this is a lot, putting myself out there this way but I must do all that I can. I know I am asking for a lot but every dollar counts. It all adds up toward clearing my debt, the late fees which accrue on a monthly basis and the amount to take the semester in August. I have not lost hope and I know that I can reach this goal before the deadline in a month. Please donate whatever you can and share as widely as you can. I will appreciate every effort, prayer and good wishes. I appreciate everyone so much for even reading this.

Thank you for helping me get the pieces to make this dream, this goal whole.

Below is one of the many emails received from the school;