Brian Ngatunga Education Fund
Donation protected
My name is Brian Ngatunga. I am 18 years old and from Tanzania and I have been in the US as a cultural exchange student via Foreign Links Around the Globe (FLAG), for my junior year of high school. I first want to thank you for taking the time to read my story. I am writing to ask for your help to reach my educational ambitions.
GoFundMe Goal
As a global citizen, my big picture goal is to complete my education in the USA and return to Tanzania with skills to address technological challenges in my home communities. This GoFundMe campaign is to raise $15,000; this amount will support my living expenses, school tuition, and travel costs. My intention is to complete my high school diploma and then pursue a 4-year college degree.
My greatest wish is to earn a scholarship to attend an Ivy League college. I would like to major in computer programming and become a developer to provide solutions to the challenges present in many Tanzanian communities. Such challenges include developing software and programs for schools, increasing efficiency in both the health care and social systems, and the management of public data. In addition, I will maintain a connection to youth to help further their education and reach their dreams.
A Little Bit About Me
I was born in Mwanza, Tanzania in 2001. My parents are both teachers, and I have a younger sister. My parents’ monthly salaries provide just enough for our family’s needs and expenses such as bills, my young sister’s school fees, and the care of my paternal grandparents.
I attended Ilboru Secondary School located in Arusha, Tanzania -- 13 hours by bus from my hometown -- for the U.S. equivalent of Grades 7- 10. I was an engaged leader and student in my classes and involved in various extracurricular activities. The highlight of my accomplishments was my creation of a school club called the Ilboru Inspiration Team that aimed to inspire students to be their best selves both academically and socially. I was also elected to the Student Government to serve as the Health Leader. In this role, I worked with fellow students to support local orphanages and with the directives from the school nurse, I assisted and administered first aid to students that had health issues. I was also a worship leader at the school’s Christian fellowship. In my 9th-grade year, I was fortunate to be chosen to come to the USA to represent Tanzanian culture through the LEAF Tanzania International Program. I performed traditional songs and dances at the LEAF festival and was part of a cultural exchange with students from various local schools.
In Tanzania, the government provides school through the 10th grade. The last two years and beyond must be paid for by the family or by scholarship. It has been my ambition to study abroad so as to experience new ways of developing my passion for becoming a global citizen; but until now, I could not achieve this on my own due to the financial barrier. After finishing my 10th-grade year, I introduced this idea to the Hanna family who I met at the LEAF Festival in May 2017 in Asheville, North Carolina. The Hanna family sponsored my studies in the USA, where, for my junior year I attended Asheville High School through a student exchange program. I am forever thankful to the Hanna family for their kindness and generosity to help me pursue my dreams. I now hope to continue this experience into my senior year by studying hard and preparing for college.
MY USA CULTURAL EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS
Experiencing the US culture by observing differences and similarities and sharing them with others ( e.g., Cooking Tanzanian dishes for my host family and classmates .
Living with a family including family chores, caring for pets, gardening and yard maintenance, woodworking, technology, and riding bus to school.
Asheville High School
Learning new processes from choosing classes, engagement with teachers & students; and communication with school administrators.
Carrying a new and challenging course load (e.g., English III Honors, US History, Math III Honors & AP Chemistry); achieved As in all coursework.
Elective courses (E.g., Personal Finance, Musical Theatre, and Engineering Design
Performing as part of the cast of the Guys and Dolls High School Production
Awards:
American History I Top Student Award.
Parents Teachers and Students Association (PTSA) leadership award nomination.
Extra-Curricular:
Asheville High A Capella Club
LEAF Schools & Streets Assistant Instructor in Asheville Middle School theater & improvisational classes.
Elevation Church member & youth group
Music (piano), songwriting, and singing with a band.
Writing inspirational blog stories
Blogs
Brian Ngatunga
Motivation Corner
Educational
Women’s March in DC, January 2020.
Visiting museums (e.g., National Museum of African American History & Culture and Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
Participation in USA holidays (e.g., Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas)
COVID-19 pandemic
Racial Justice movement
GRATITUDE
Thank you for your donation. I promise to work hard to make my dreams happen and make an impact on my community. I kindly ask you to please share this story with your family, friends, classmates, etc. May God bless you abundantly.
Asante Sana!!
FUNDS DISTRIBUTION
As with most things these days, my immediate future is uncertain. I am on the waitlist for a boarding school I hope to attend, and I am currently researching other other options. The funds that I raise will go toward my education, a computer, and associated costs.
Because of COVID, my return flight has been canceled, and a flight home does not exist yet. I am trying to get help to change my visa status from J1 to F1 without going to Tanzania. This process takes the assistance of an immigration lawyer.
I am in conversation with a few different schools that may offer me enrollment for my senior year. I hope for a scholarship wherever I go, but most of them are higher cost boarding schools that offer the F1 visa. I may need to pay for some tuition and/or housing.
If no option presents itself and I must return to Tanzania, I will refund your donations.
If I am able to stay or return to the US for high school, and the donations exceed what I will use my senior year, I will save it for college applications and fees.
My deepest hope is that I earn significant scholarships that will cover most of the costs of my education and living costs.
Estimated Costs:
$2000 Immigration lawyer
$350 Fees associated with F1 visa
$2000 Airfare to return to the US (if I have to go home)
$900 $100/month spending money for the school year.
$500 College Board exam fees and tutoring
$250 College Application fees
$9,000 Senior year tuition
GoFundMe Goal
As a global citizen, my big picture goal is to complete my education in the USA and return to Tanzania with skills to address technological challenges in my home communities. This GoFundMe campaign is to raise $15,000; this amount will support my living expenses, school tuition, and travel costs. My intention is to complete my high school diploma and then pursue a 4-year college degree.
My greatest wish is to earn a scholarship to attend an Ivy League college. I would like to major in computer programming and become a developer to provide solutions to the challenges present in many Tanzanian communities. Such challenges include developing software and programs for schools, increasing efficiency in both the health care and social systems, and the management of public data. In addition, I will maintain a connection to youth to help further their education and reach their dreams.
A Little Bit About Me
I was born in Mwanza, Tanzania in 2001. My parents are both teachers, and I have a younger sister. My parents’ monthly salaries provide just enough for our family’s needs and expenses such as bills, my young sister’s school fees, and the care of my paternal grandparents.
I attended Ilboru Secondary School located in Arusha, Tanzania -- 13 hours by bus from my hometown -- for the U.S. equivalent of Grades 7- 10. I was an engaged leader and student in my classes and involved in various extracurricular activities. The highlight of my accomplishments was my creation of a school club called the Ilboru Inspiration Team that aimed to inspire students to be their best selves both academically and socially. I was also elected to the Student Government to serve as the Health Leader. In this role, I worked with fellow students to support local orphanages and with the directives from the school nurse, I assisted and administered first aid to students that had health issues. I was also a worship leader at the school’s Christian fellowship. In my 9th-grade year, I was fortunate to be chosen to come to the USA to represent Tanzanian culture through the LEAF Tanzania International Program. I performed traditional songs and dances at the LEAF festival and was part of a cultural exchange with students from various local schools.
In Tanzania, the government provides school through the 10th grade. The last two years and beyond must be paid for by the family or by scholarship. It has been my ambition to study abroad so as to experience new ways of developing my passion for becoming a global citizen; but until now, I could not achieve this on my own due to the financial barrier. After finishing my 10th-grade year, I introduced this idea to the Hanna family who I met at the LEAF Festival in May 2017 in Asheville, North Carolina. The Hanna family sponsored my studies in the USA, where, for my junior year I attended Asheville High School through a student exchange program. I am forever thankful to the Hanna family for their kindness and generosity to help me pursue my dreams. I now hope to continue this experience into my senior year by studying hard and preparing for college.
MY USA CULTURAL EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS
Experiencing the US culture by observing differences and similarities and sharing them with others ( e.g., Cooking Tanzanian dishes for my host family and classmates .
Living with a family including family chores, caring for pets, gardening and yard maintenance, woodworking, technology, and riding bus to school.
Asheville High School
Learning new processes from choosing classes, engagement with teachers & students; and communication with school administrators.
Carrying a new and challenging course load (e.g., English III Honors, US History, Math III Honors & AP Chemistry); achieved As in all coursework.
Elective courses (E.g., Personal Finance, Musical Theatre, and Engineering Design
Performing as part of the cast of the Guys and Dolls High School Production
Awards:
American History I Top Student Award.
Parents Teachers and Students Association (PTSA) leadership award nomination.
Extra-Curricular:
Asheville High A Capella Club
LEAF Schools & Streets Assistant Instructor in Asheville Middle School theater & improvisational classes.
Elevation Church member & youth group
Music (piano), songwriting, and singing with a band.
Writing inspirational blog stories
Blogs
Brian Ngatunga
Motivation Corner
Educational
Women’s March in DC, January 2020.
Visiting museums (e.g., National Museum of African American History & Culture and Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History.
Participation in USA holidays (e.g., Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas)
COVID-19 pandemic
Racial Justice movement
GRATITUDE
Thank you for your donation. I promise to work hard to make my dreams happen and make an impact on my community. I kindly ask you to please share this story with your family, friends, classmates, etc. May God bless you abundantly.
Asante Sana!!
FUNDS DISTRIBUTION
As with most things these days, my immediate future is uncertain. I am on the waitlist for a boarding school I hope to attend, and I am currently researching other other options. The funds that I raise will go toward my education, a computer, and associated costs.
Because of COVID, my return flight has been canceled, and a flight home does not exist yet. I am trying to get help to change my visa status from J1 to F1 without going to Tanzania. This process takes the assistance of an immigration lawyer.
I am in conversation with a few different schools that may offer me enrollment for my senior year. I hope for a scholarship wherever I go, but most of them are higher cost boarding schools that offer the F1 visa. I may need to pay for some tuition and/or housing.
If no option presents itself and I must return to Tanzania, I will refund your donations.
If I am able to stay or return to the US for high school, and the donations exceed what I will use my senior year, I will save it for college applications and fees.
My deepest hope is that I earn significant scholarships that will cover most of the costs of my education and living costs.
Estimated Costs:
$2000 Immigration lawyer
$350 Fees associated with F1 visa
$2000 Airfare to return to the US (if I have to go home)
$900 $100/month spending money for the school year.
$500 College Board exam fees and tutoring
$250 College Application fees
$9,000 Senior year tuition
Fundraising team: Brian Fundraising Team (4)
Bob Hanna
Organizer
Asheville, NC
Brian Ngatunga
Team member
Caryn Hanna
Team member
Sarah Elizabeth Hipp
Team member