Pubert Nkhono, a junior business administration major, raised over $10,000 through a GoFundMe page, which will help him pay for his studies.
At the beginning of February, Nkhono, an international student from Malawi, was notified by the university that he had less than a week to “find funds to be able to register for the Winter 2021 semester.”
Due to the weakened economy in Malawi as a result of COVID-19, Nkhono’s financial situation was compromised. The pandemic also affected his family’s business operations, which made it challenging for him to have a solid payment plan. According to Nhkono, this increased the urgency of his situation.
International students are required by the U.S. government to enroll for a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. Not having enough funds to pay for the semester could result in international students losing their F-1 visas, which allow them to stay in the country. Additionally, international students are only allowed to work on the school’s campus, so Nkhono’s ways of generating income are also restricted.
After weeks of financial struggle, Nkhono decided to start a GoFundMe page, hoping that it would help him raise some money.
“I decided to start my GoFundMe page after being encouraged by a friend to put my pride down and receive the necessary help from people who had already expressed their desire to support me,” Nkhono said.
Nkhono had high expectations going into the fundraising project because his close friends had already expressed a willingness to help him. However, he felt that even if the goal was not reached, starting a fundraiser would be a “huge step forward in the right direction.”
Ultimately, Nkhono raised a total of $10,104, surpassing his goal of $10,000.
“This was one of the most moving things that has happened to me during my time here at SAU,” said Nkhono. “This was a testimony to God’s grace and love that is unconditional.”
