My name is Ongwa Wakilongo. I was born into a girl-dominated family, and sadly, in my culture, that was seen as a disappointment. My father abandoned us when I was just three days old, leaving my mother to raise us alone in the refugee camp. Five years later, my mother remarried, but her new husband didn’t accept us. She was pregnant and forced to leave us behind to survive. Since then, my sisters and I have lived without our parents, raising each other with love, strength, and resilience. These early life experiences left deep emotional wounds, but they also gave me a powerful sense of purpose. Living with trauma, rejection, and hardship made me understand how important it is to have someone to talk to someone who listens, understands, and supports you without judgment. That’s why I’ve decided to become a psychotherapist. I am currently studying Social Service Work . This program has helped me gain a deeper understanding of mental health, addiction, poverty, and the social systems that impact people’s lives. But this is just the beginning of my journey. After completing my diploma, I plan to transfer to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work. My long-term goal is to pursue a master’s degree in Psychotherapy. I believe that with these qualifications, I’ll be better equipped to help people in meaningful, lasting ways. I have a special passion for helping those who feel forgotten, especially young people dealing with mental health issues, homelessness, and addiction. I see these struggles every day in my community, and it breaks my heart. I want to be part of the solution. Right now, my biggest challenge is paying for school and managing daily expenses. I do not have enough financial support, so I must take care of everything on my own. I work while studying, but what I earn barely covers my living costs. Sometimes I must choose between paying for food or buying the materials I need for class. This stress makes it hard to fully focus on school, even though I still try my best and maintain good grades. I know I could do even better if I did not have to worry so much about money. This scholarship would make a big difference in my life. It would take away a big part of the financial pressure I face and allow me to focus more on my education. I would have more time to study, take part in activities, and grow in my field without being held back by constant worries about how to pay for everything. With this support, I would be able to continue working toward my dream with a clear mind and a hopeful heart.

My name is Ongwa Wakilongo. I am Congolese by nationality, but I was born in the Nyarugusu refugee camp in Tanzania. Later, my family returned to Congo, but due to safety concerns, my sisters and I fled again this time to Malawi. I was born into a girl-dominated family, and sadly, in my culture, that was seen as a disappointment. My father abandoned us when I was just three days old, leaving my mother to raise us alone in the refugee camp. Five years later, my mother remarried, but her new husband didn’t accept us. She was pregnant and forced to leave us behind to survive. Since then, my sisters and I have lived without our parents, raising each other with love, strength, and resilience. These early life experiences left deep emotional wounds, but they also gave me a powerful sense of purpose. Living with trauma, rejection, and hardship made me understand how important it is to have someone to talk to someone who listens, understands, and supports you without judgment. That’s why I’ve decided to become a psychotherapist. I am currently studying Social Service Work . This program has helped me gain a deeper understanding of mental health, addiction, poverty, and the social systems that impact people’s lives. But this is just the beginning of my journey. After completing my diploma, I plan to transfer to a four-year university to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work. My long-term goal is to pursue a master’s degree in Psychotherapy. I believe that with these qualifications, I’ll be better equipped to help people in meaningful, lasting ways. I have a special passion for helping those who feel forgotten, especially young people dealing with mental health issues, homelessness, and addiction. I see these struggles every day in my community, and it breaks my heart. I want to be part of the solution. Right now, my biggest challenge is paying for school and managing daily expenses. I do not have enough financial support, so I must take care of everything on my own. I work while studying, but what I earn barely covers my living costs. Sometimes I must choose between paying for food or buying the materials I need for class. This stress makes it hard to fully focus on school, even though I still try my best and maintain good grades. I know I could do even better if I did not have to worry so much about money. This scholarship would make a big difference in my life. It would take away a big part of the financial pressure I face and allow me to focus more on my education. I would have more time to study, take part in activities, and grow in my field without being held back by constant worries about how to pay for everything. With this support, I would be able to continue working toward my dream with a clear mind and a hopeful heart.

Growing up, I did not have parents. I was raised by a caregiver who became like a parent to me. This caregiver was my family, my support, and my guide. When they were diagnosed with ALS, my whole world changed. Watching the person who had cared for me slowly lose their strength was one of the hardest things I have ever experienced. I felt powerless, scared, and alone, but I knew I had to stay strong for them. As the disease progressed, I became their caregiver. I helped with daily tasks, offered comfort, and stayed by their side. It was painful to watch them suffer, but I knew that showing up every day, even when it was hard, was the greatest way I could give back the love they had given me. After their passing, I found myself completely alone. No family, no stable support, and facing a future that felt uncertain. This experience has deeply impacted my educational journey. There were many times when I wanted to give up because of sadness and loneliness. However, I found strength in the lessons my caregiver taught me: kindness, courage, and resilience. I decided to keep going because I know they would have wanted me to. Education became my hope and my path toward building a better life. Financially, my situation is very difficult. I do not have parents or family to help support me. Every part of my education depends on scholarships, part-time work, and any assistance I can find. Even though I work hard, it is still not enough to cover tuition, living costs, and books. The stress of not knowing how I will pay for the next semester is always on my mind. Receiving this scholarship would not just help me pay for school. It would give me the peace of mind to focus on my studies and future. It would mean the world to me because it would take away some of the heavy burden I carry every day. Most importantly, it would allow me to continue working toward my dream. Because of everything I have been through, I want to become a psychotherapist. I want to help others who are going through loss, trauma, and difficult times. I want to be the person who listens, who understands, and who offers real support. My experiences have given me a heart full of compassion, and I believe I can use my education to bring healing and hope to others. I am currently doing social service work with a 3.84 GPA. This scholarship would not just help me. It would help every person I will one day help as a psychotherapist. Thank you for considering my story and giving me the chance to continue building a future filled with purpose and hope.