Help Sofia get to University.

I'm a 23-year-old New Zealander with a passion for ministering to young people, singing and playing music.

I'm seeking financial partners to sow into my education to become a school chaplain/musician at Avondale College in NSW, Australia in 2017.

I've been told there is a real need for young woman chaplains and the fact that I also bring to the table my skills as a musician and avid personal experience in both areas excited my tutors when they talked about my future at the end of my 1st year in 2015.

I've always been passionate towards what I feel is my 'calling' in life since I was a child. Growing up, I attended a small Christian school and from an early age volunteered all my spare time assisting the pastoral team in their ministry, before, during and after school. I worked behind the scenes and also in the foreground. I loved it all, I'm in my element. At the same time, I also developed my musical talents of singing, playing piano and later the ukulele and often led out praise and worship at assemblies and church. When I graduated high school I attended music school for a year before I was offered a role with a music ministry group touring Australia's schools and churches for 18 months. It was here I realised I was using both my passions of ministry and music together and therefore at the end of my contract I sort for a placement in the Chaplaincy and music programs at Avondale College.

However. the hurdle I face now is paying for year 2 and beyond. Being a Kiwi studying in Australia has it's challenges as I'm unable to obtain a student loan. I was fortunate and grateful to of won a couple of scholarships for my 1st year of study, covering my school fees. I also had a kind-hearted family take me in at no cost to live with them for the year as well. However, I still felt the burden in not being able to pay my way. I was not able to find regular student work and I had little to no extra money to live on. I do not wish to experience this again.

I returned home to NZ and my Mum to regroup and look for employment. My intention was to work 2016 to save for my 2nd year of study.

I was not able to secure a job in the months leading up to my Mum leaving the country so she invited me to join her. Mum raised me on her own and when I first left home she started traveling while working for herself as an illustrator, so I tagged along exploring North America (on a very tight budget) as her personal assistant throughout this year, it was a great opportunity to see part of the world.

As my Mum's business is very young, she hasn't the means to support my education fees, I've also been denied several of the scholarships I've applied for so I'm reaching out.

If you can, please help me continue my degree! I will be so grateful!

Blessings,

Sofia xxx