[ad_1]
- Wits medical graduate Taz Emeran is planning to use the excess donations she received to pay off her student debt and start a foundation that will help other students.
- Emeran received financial help after posting a video on Instagram, asking people to help raise R471,000 in one day.
- The foundation will help South African students and is independent from Wits.
Mumtaaz (Taz) Emeran, a senior medical student at the University of the Witwaterstrand, plans to use the excess donations he received from South Africans to start a foundation that will help pay off the debt of other students.
Emeran received an overwhelming response from South Africans after she posted a video on Instagram last Tuesday, asking people to help her pay off her R471,000 debt that she had accumulated since she was in her third grade.
Not only did he manage to raise enough to pay off his student debt, he now wants to use the surplus money he received to start a foundation to help other students pay off their debts.
“My plan is to partner with as many banks and organizations as possible to help other students like me have the opportunity to reach their goals,” the 27-year-old graduate told News24.
“This initiative will be open to all students in South Africa and will be independent of Wits,” he said.
READ | Generous South Africans help a Wits University medical student raise 471,000 rand in 24 hours to pay off her debt
According to Emeran, after finishing his final exam, he received a message from the university saying that he would not be able to graduate if his historic debt was not paid by December 9.
He said that during his third year of medical school he received a sponsor who was willing to pay for his studies; however, funds were allegedly stolen within the foundation and no money was paid to the university.
After her video became a social media trend, audiences contributed the money it needed – and more – in 24 hours.
Full shock
“I was in complete shock,” he said.
“The great CEOs of banks asked how they could help me.”
The medical graduate said that by making the video, she was just taking a risk, not knowing what to expect from it, but was overwhelmed by the generosity of the people.
Emeran would meet with various banks and organizations to create an account that will be used to help other students.
“This is South Africa’s money, I want to return it to you as a gesture of my gratitude,” he said.
Wits spokeswoman Shirona Patel said university officials would meet with Emeran later in the week to work out the details.
“The university commends Ms. Emeran for her generosity and is encouraged by the generosity of the South African public,” Patel said.
Emeran would graduate on December 17, and thereafter, begin his internship at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital in Soweto.
Do you want to know more about this topic? Sign up to receive one of 33 News24 newsletters to receive the information you want in your inbox. There are special newsletters available to subscribers.
