Dear friends, colleagues, family and anyone else who may have stumbled across my interregnum,
In March this year, I received the entirely unexpected, and fabulous news that I had been accepted to the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University to pursue a Masters in Public Policy (MPP). Unfortunately, a week later, this news was tempered somewhat when the financial aid office at the Kennedy School informed me that they would be unable to financially support my admission to the program.
In applying to the Kennedy School, to pursue an MPP, I aim to complement and deepen my political, economic policy, and analytical skills to enhance my capacity for contributing to a more just, equitable, democratic and sustainable future for my continent, country and her people.
The MPP is aimed at individuals actively working in the public sphere, who want to continue to contribute to their societies in meaningful and applied ways. The nature of the program and the synthesis therein of both political science and economics, with a clear bias towards practical implementation will, I believe, enable me to contribute systematically in the areas of policy formulation, monitoring, and analysis, while lobbying for the popularization of policy instruments. As a proud South African, and African, with applied developmental and political experience, I believe I would moreover contribute to deepening the learning experience of the collective of scholars.
I am determined to take up my position at Harvard, but have to meet their financial certification deadline in mid-July if I am to assume my place in class on the second of September.
Recently a family friend, on hearing of my plight, handed R500 (USD 64) to my mother as a contribution towards the cost of my studies. This incredibly generous gesture got me to thinking that if a large number of people donated relatively small amounts of money toward my tuition and living expenses, it could significantly contribute towards realising my dream of attending the Kennedy School.
While I have access to some personal funds, and debt, this is insufficient to cover the prescribed costs of the two year program. I am in the process of submitting applications to potential scholarships and benefactors, and will continue to pursue other potential sources of funding, including fund-raising events that will be advertised here and on facebook.
If you are in a position to support my admission to the Kennedy School, I would greatly appreciate your clicking on the “pledge” tab above and submitting your information.
If you would like to learn more about me, please click on the “Who is Jonny” tab where you will find a copy of my personal statement as submitted to Harvard, and a list of my publications available online. If you know of any scholarships, bursaries or charitable trusts that may be in a position to support me, please contact me at joni.faull@gmail.com or on my cell phone (+27)82 415 0197.
I sincerely thank you in anticipation,
Jonathan Faull
