A back-a-buddy fundraiser has recently been started for Sunday Kelechi, a Stellenbosch University (SU) student and cellist, to pay off his student debt and fund his final year of studies.
The online fundraiser was started by Allison Knight, aiming to raise R160 000. The money will be used to cover Kelechi’s tuition fee at SU, his study visa, medical aid and accommodation and groceries for 2022.
“Half the funds will be required to be paid for my study fee before mid-year at the university and the remaining half will be used to cover my accommodation and feeding as the year goes on,” said Kelechi.
Knight met the young musician at the beginning of 2021 when he was in a predicament with housing. Someone she knows in Johannesburg whose daughter was also studying music reached out to her to see if they could assist him as he has no family support in South Africa.
“A number of Stellenbosch friends came to the rescue,” she said, “Having got to know Sunday, experiencing his unbelievable musical talent and hearing from his lecturers what an amazing gift he has—it was without question that he deserved to have a helping hand in completing his studies.”
The university assisted Kelechi financially in the past, based on merit and “generous donations” from the music department. “I currently do not qualify for the bursaries based on my status as an international student,” he pointed out.
Kelchi said being an international student has made the process more difficult.
“Major amount of my study fees since my stay in South Africa has been a result of the international fees charged and most of the bursaries available are not eligible for non-citizens of South Africa,” he said.
Kelchi is currently relying on the generosity of a family who have committed to providing a roof over his head for one month. “I met them through Allison and they have been so kind to allowing me stay at their residence since the beginning of February,” he said.
According to Knight just over R10 000 has been raised so far.
“This alone doesn’t pay for a deposit and even one month’s rent, unfortunately,” she said. “Extras such as payments for his study visa have also arisen, all amounting to more than R3 000, also need to be considered.
If Kelchi does not manage to raise the money in time he will have outstanding debt and will not be able to receive his certificate at the end of the 2022 academic year, if ever.
