STUCK AT HOME - Teen with 18 subjects wants help to attend university

When Trichel Williams got accepted to Howard University, she thought her biggest hurdle would be the years of study her chemical engineering degree would require.

"I got accepted to Howard University to study chemical engineering, but I had to defer a semester due to my inability to find sufficient funds," the 19-year-old said.

The Wolmer's Girl School past student, who has 18 subjects to her name, recalled how she was super-excited when she got the acceptance letter from the highly rated United States-based institution.

"I was at CHAMPS (ISSA Boys and Girls' Championships) on the Saturday so you know there was a lot of excitement and all of that. When I got the email I was so excited, like everything around me faded. I was nervous I had to make one of my friends read the email for me," she said.

Williams said she chose the Washington DC-based historically black university and was hoping to get a full scholarship to pursue her studies there.

"I already knew my financial situation, so I knew I needed help from somewhere. Fortunately, I got a scholarship, I got US$28,000 (approximately J$4.2 million) and the full cost of attendance is US$51,000 (approximately J$7.7 million), so I had to find like US$23,000 (approximately J$3.5 million).

Williams lives in Portmore, St Catherine, with her mother, a minimum wage earner. She told THE STAR that she pursued many avenues to raise the funds, including asking family members and seeking loans from financial institutions. However, all her attempts were unsuccessful. With no idea where to find the funds to begin her studies, the teenager said she has been experiencing a roller-coaster of emotions.

"Throughout my entire childhood, I've always learnt that education is the key, but I don't think it really is the key out of poverty because now I have the education, but I am still unable to get a higher education because I don't have any money," she said.

"If you don't have the money you won't be able to move on. I have 18 subjects and I'm still unable to get a higher education at a very good university because I don't have the money, and even though I've tried all of those different options, it just wasn't working so I feel very devastated."

The 19-year-old says she is hoping to raise funds through the crowdfunding website, GofundMe, through a campaign dubbed 'Help Trichel Make Her Dream A Reality'. The campaign can be found at https://gofund.me/97ff6e05.

Up to press time yesterday, she had raised only US$295 (approximately J$44,977) of the US$23,153 (approximately J$3.5 million) being targeted. The account was created on August 26.

"I would love if others are able to help my dreams become a reality. I know that there are persons out there who are willing to help and can help, so I'm just hoping that they see it and offer some support," she said.