A few months ago, I did something bold. Brave. Some might even call it… slightly delusional. I launched a GoFundMe to raise $76,000 for my master’s in public policy at LSE. Yes, seventy-six THOUSAND U.S. dollars.
Now, before you clap for my faith, let me tell you how it went. Drumroll, please… 🥁
I raised a grand total of $275 online and $100 in cash, courtesy of two of my male friends. But wait, these weren’t just ordinary cash donations. Oh no. They came wrapped in handwritten notes so sweet that I nearly cried into my rice and soup. Honestly, the love and the thought behind those notes? Worth more than the tuition itself. Harvard cannot teach you that kind of friendship.
And let’s not forget the silent heroes: everyone who shared my GoFundMe link. I had asked for two things, donate or share. And they did. Mission accomplished. Bless you all.
Now, somewhere in the middle of this journey, I reached out to one of my supportive female friends, who sent me a few “important” names to contact. Of course, politicians being politicians, most treated my email like it was spam from a Nigerian prince. But one guy responded and said he would connect me with a Liberian in the diaspora.
Fast forward, the man reached out. He promised to help. I sent a few polite reminders, you know, the kind where you say, “Just checking in” but you really mean “HELLO SIR, TUITION IS CALLING.” But deep down, I knew help is a favor, not an obligation. So, I prayed, dusted my hands, and said to myself, if not now, then soon. Jireh will provide.
Then September 19, 2025, plot twist. After I had already declined my offer for this term, Mr. Diaspora suddenly messaged me: “Ok, where do I send the money?”
wow!
I smiled and said thank you but explained that I had already turned down my spot and could not accept his donation in good conscience. He replied, “Alright, let me know when you reapply.” And I said, “Deal. Naturally, I can’t accept the money when I knowingly declined the offer. He’s simply being generous, and it wouldn’t be right to take advantage of that.
So, here’s the moral of this rollercoaster: to everyone who donated via GoFundMe, I want you to know your $275 will not gather dust. I will be redirecting it to Liberia Giving Month by SMART Liberia to support CSOs doing real, important work here at home. And that $100 with the handwritten notes? Oh, I am keeping that forever. Souvenirs of faith, friendship, and a very funny chapter in my journey.
Because maybe I did not raise $76,000, but I raised something priceless—love, support, and the kind of hope you cannot put on a tuition bill.
