New funding raising initiative for students

Feenix Trust helps connect needy with donors

Nosiphiwe Tyhaliti and Nhlalenhle Simelani stand to benefit from a newly established funding raising initiative launched to help students gain access to education.

Yesterday in Rosebank‚ Johannesburg‚ Feenix Trust‚ in collaboration with Standard Bank‚ launched an initiative which will connect students from South Africa’s 26 public universities with donors.

“Students can create profiles on the website of Feenix and upload their fees statement and bio from where donors can choose to donate to them‚” said De Ru, manager for business development on education at Standard Bank.

With three children‚ one at university and two in high school‚ Tyhaliti’s retired parents are struggling to make ends meet and pay for her university tuition.

She is a second-year analytical chemistry student at Cape Peninsula University of Technology who is in need of sponsorship.

Tyhaliti is in need of a R79 031 donation to complete her studies.

Meanwhile, Nhlalenhle Simelani, originally from Mtubatuba township in KwaZuluNatal, is a third year LLB student at the University of Pretoria.

She initially needed R117 330 and donors have already pledged R800‚ leaving her still needing R116 530 in funding.

According to their website‚ Feenix Trust is a public benefit organisation that was established this year and it comprises of trustees who have years of experience in wealth advisory and management

“The bank has undertaken to be a partner of the Feenix Trust and make sure that all donated funds are managed responsibly‚ and end up with the people who deserve them‚” said Johan De Ru. –