Kelowna comes together to pay student’s tuition fees

A student living in the Okanagan is fighting against time and money to stay in the area and continue learning.

Ismael Traore has been in Canada for a total of 10 years now and is enrolled at McMaster. He relocated to the Okanagan last year to continue his research. According to Okanagan College, Traore was a PhD candidate from McMaster University in the Sociology department.

He’s on a study permit in Canada, which means he’s an international student and he’s six to eight months from finishing his program. It’s not looking good for Traore, though, as he’s been given one week to cover his tuition fee and send Immigration Canada a letter of enrollment.

“If I can have help covering the remaining tuition fee of this coming school year’s tuition, I’d be abundantly grateful. Any contribution beyond that would go into covering this coming school year,” his Gofundme page reads.

We all know tuition for post-secondary education is extremely expensive, but people find a way to pay for it through getting jobs, student loans, lines of credit and scholarships. It’s not that simple for Traore. International students are not allowed to work for more than 20 hours off-campus during a session and can only work full-time off-campus during breaks.

Traore is a graduate student, which means he’s in session all year except for a week or two during winter break. He is currently working on a documentary project funded by the University of British Columbia and the Government of British Columbia. The film will document newcomers' experiences with settling and integrating into the Okanagan.Furthermore, international students are not eligible for student loans, lines of credit and most academic grants and scholarships, according to Traore.

A Gofundme account has been set up to help Traore with his tuition cost.

"I am floored by the support of friends and the good samaritans of this world. I went to bed last night thinking that when I woke up in the morning, only a handful of people would be contributed," Traore told KelownaNow.

"What I woke up to and what I am witnessing is very moving. I am humbled by this cross-community support; from Hamilton to Kelowna and everyone in between."

Since being in Canada Traore has gotten by with jobs, such as a research assistant and teaching assistant. He said he’s having trouble landing a job now because his study permit is expiring.

“My credit card is maxed out and the little left in my savings is to cover rent for the next month,” Traore explained.

“So I am in a catch-22: I need the study permit to be eligible for work but I need the money (or work) to pay off the tuition fee so I can get the study permit.”

Traore needs to pay the remaining half of his tuition fee and then he would extend his study permit for the upcoming 2016-2017 school year.

In less than 12 hours, nearly $2,000 of the $2,500 goal has been raised.