You can help students get back to their studies
JOBURG – In the current political climate, a familiar face in entertainment is hoping to make a difference.
There is unrest throughout the country as students fight for lower university fees, but Bursary Network could be the platform to ease these tensions.
In January, Bursary Network was opened by a team including fashion icon and entrepreneur, Maps Maponyane. The website is much like Kickstarter, an online crowdfunding platform, but this one was built with the purpose of aiding students to fund their studies.
“Bursary Network is a crowdfunding website for bursaries, so it’s a platform that allows students who need access to funding to appeal to the public,” Maponyane explained.
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Each student is allotted a certain amount of time during which they should campaign and encourage people to donate towards their qualification – which can only be a degree or diploma, and not for a short course.
With 20 students on the site at a time, potential donors can go online to view how much money they’re still in need of to fund their degree or diploma, and even check out their back story in order to find out why they are in need of financial aid.
With funding at the forefront of many student conversations, it was important for the company to address the issue and help those in need. “The company was created to close the gap in the amount of education that is not being received, especially in light of #FeesMustFall. It felt like there needed to be a way to contribute to the cause and not allow the lack of funding to prevent students from reaching their potential.”
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Students are able to access the site, submit a profile detailing their story and the amount of money they’re in need of, and then appeal for funding from the public.
In the short time that it’s been running, the platform has funded 10 students, with one student receiving enough to finish a degree.
Access to education is a massive concern in South Africa and it imperative that the public understands that everyone can make a difference. “It’s important for the public to know that they can make a massive difference with just a R100 donation.”
Companies, celebrities and you have been challenged to donate towards the cause and allow someone to get the education that they deserve.
Details: www.bursarynetwork.com
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