MY LIFE CHANGING MOMENT TO YYGS

l am by the name of Shyaka Bruno from Rwanda. l am a Rwandan by nationality, 18 years old and a Male by gender. l am a junior high school student. l am a Yale Young African Scholar Alumni and Ambassador 2024 and an Afridemia Scholar. l also participated in the Yale Model of African Union IV 2025.

Recently, l was given a life changing opportunity. l got an admission in the Yale Young Global Scholars whereby l was admitted to attend the Literature, Philosophy and Culture (LPC). l will participate in session 3 which will start from the 20th July, 2025 to 1st August, 2025. it will take a period of 2 weeks. Being one of the most competitive pre-college programs in the world, one that l have worked so hard for, one that could change my future, and l do not want to let it slip away due to finances.   

Being selected from a pool of over 13,000 applicants shows me that l am promising talent. Through the LPC session, l will work with Yale Professors, collaborate with brilliant change makers from around the world and gain exposure to cutting-edge research in the field. l believe that my participation to participate in the program can motivate my fellow Rwandans who are academically strong but financially weak to participate in such programs. Our future struggles and failures should not determine what our future will be.

Financially, l got a YYAS Scholarship which covers the full tuition but not travel costs for YYAS Alumni to attend YYGS. Paying for the travel and visa acts as a financial barrier to my family as serving our home needs is still a big barrier. 

l have taken this opportunity to ask for funding. My funding requirements are as follows:

Flight Tickets (round trip) from Kigali International airport to JFK international airport and vice versa.

It costs 2695$ for the round trip.

Bus ( Go Shuttle from the airport to Yale University): 150$

VISA: B2 Visitor Visa costs 185$

 Yale is legally prohibited from sending money to students/families for travel (e.g., passport, visa, and/or transportation tickets), so this is the only area where you need assistance, which could be the difference in you being able to take advantage of this opportunity.

My family has done everything they possibly can, and now, l am turning to my community, to the people who believe in ambition, education and the power of young leaders. Your grant whether 3000$ or less counts much.