Story

My name is Amela, and I’m 16. Things are really heavy right now… I’ve run out of options, and I don’t know where else to turn.

Over the past year, my family has been drowning in over 50,000 pula (~$3,700) worth of debt. My mom had to sell our car just to try and keep us afloat, and we’ve been scraping by with almost nothing left. Despite everything, I’ve been doing my best to stay strong, keep up with school, and hold on to hope.

But last week, my school sent me a notice saying I owe 76,000 pula (~$5,600) in tuition fees. If we can’t pay by the end of September 9 which is tomorrow, I won’t be allowed back in September to sit for my final exams. Education means everything to me — I’ve been working so hard to build a future where I can help my family and others — but right now, it feels like the door is closing in my face.

To make things harder, my phone and study devices were stolen, which has made it so difficult to keep up with schoolwork and even manage my fundraising campaign. I’ve started a BackaBuddy campaign to raise the full amount of 110,000 pula (~$8,700), but my videos and posts aren’t reaching enough people, and it feels like I’m screaming into the void.

I’ve watched how this platform is used to change lives, spread kindness, and bring communities together, and that’s why I’m reaching out.

Here’s my BackaBuddy link:

Even writing this  was hard because I never imagined I’d be in a place where I’d have to ask strangers for help. But I believe the right people cross our paths for a reason, and maybe today, you’re one of those people for me.

Thank you for even taking the time to read this. It truly means more than I can put into words.