Please help me fund my trip to Uganda

Jorisi Nsemgeyezu Start Date: Apr 19, 2023 - End Date: Aug 18, 2023
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Volunteer Trip
  • Uganda, Uganda
  • Rwanda

My Travel Story

by: Jorisi Nsemgeyezu Start Date: Apr 19, 2023 - End Date: Aug 18, 2023
  • Professional Development
  • Study/Degree Abroad
  • Volunteer Trip
Dear friends and supporters,

My name is Joris Nsemgeyezu, and I am a first-generation refugee from Burundi currently studying Business Management at the University of Utah.  Go U!

While I do not remember much of my life in refugee camps, I have seen firsthand the difficulties and challenges that refugees face daily.  Despite the hardships I experience as a person of a refugee background, I
have always believed in the power of education and hard work to create a better future.

I am excited to let you know that I have been accepted to travel this summer (2023) with a student group from Utah Tech University for a service-learning study abroad program in the refugee camps in Northern Uganda. Most of the refugees in these camps are from DRC Congo and Sudan. I imagine these refugee camps are similar to those where my family lived for so many years. I am eager to be a part of this student group to serve and learn within the refugee camps and gain a deeper understanding of refugee challenges within these camps.

This program will also provide me with opportunities to learn from and work with local organizations providing much-needed assistance as they make a positive impact on the lives of the refugees. However, as a student, I am facing financial barriers that prevent me from fully realizing this opportunity. The cost of travel, program fees (accommodation, local transportation expenses, and meals), and tuition is significant, and I am reaching out to you for support.  I’m looking to raise $5,300 through this effort to meet the financial requirement for the program. 

Your donation will help me make a meaningful contribution to the refugee community, and bring hope and inspiration to those who need it most. By investing in my education and related service-learning activities, you will be supporting a cause that is close to my heart and making a real difference in the lives of refugees.

I am confident that this study abroad experience will prove to be a powerful motivator in my education and shape the rest of my future for good. In addition, I anticipate that my experience will be a motivation for other youth of refugee background especially those who might be struggling with their education. I am committed to using my education and skills to make a positive impact on the world, and I hope you will join me in this mission. Your donation, no matter how small, will make a difference and help me realize my dream of returning to the
refugee camps and giving back to the community.

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Joris Nsemgeyezu
  • Uganda, Uganda
  • Rwanda