Meet Ariane
Ariane is a bright young woman from Burkina Faso, who has set her sights on coming to the United States to study engineering, after visiting the US in 2019.
She has applied to over 40 colleges and universities in the US and has the opportunity to attend several, but she needs your help. Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world, and even with scholarships, Ariane cannot afford to pay tuition and other expenses.
With your support, Ariane's dream of coming to the United States to study engineering is possible. Please consider donating today.
Ariane's Story
Greetings, my name is Nongbzanga Ariane Fabiola Ouedraogo.
I am a native of Burkina Faso. I have lived here all of my life. My parents, siblings, and I live together in our home. Although we do not have much money, our home is filled with love.
In 2019, I had a wonderful opportunity to visit the United States of America as a youth leadership program participant. 2019 was my first time ever to leave my country. I was fascinated by the culture, the educational opportunities, houses, cars, and way of life people in America are afforded.
Honestly, I want to live this life.
Since the age of 11, I dreamed of going to America to further my education. And now, I have that opportunity at Adrian College in Michigan.
Let me back up just a little. When I was in America in 2019, I visited many cities. Huntsville and Birmingham were two of those cities. I met Dr. Wanda Humphrey. I knew a US mentor would be invaluable, and she immediately adopted me as her mentee. I also met Mr. Larry Thornton in 2019. I was connected to Mr. Thornton in 2021 and he asked Mrs. Josephine Lowery and Dr. Humphrey to help me with the college application process. I affectionally refer to them as Tata Wanda, Uncle Larry, and Tata JoJo. The three of them have been such a blessing to me. They have invested their time, talent, and resources into helping me accomplish what I otherwise would never been able to accomplish and that is getting a college acceptance letter.
I have applied to more than 40 colleges and have only received 1 acceptance letter. There are 2 other colleges that are possibilities. My denial letters state that I am academically competitive, but my inability to pay tuition and college expenses are reasons for not being admitted.
My parents can’t afford to pay college tuition and expenses. My father is a man of integrity, and tries to take care of us the best he can. My mother is a school teacher and sells juice to supplement their income. Three jobs and it is still very difficult. My father is so proud and was very hesitant about this website, but it is the only way I can move forward. There is so much more I would like to share, but time does not permit.
I want to pause here and share why this website is so important to me and my family.
It gives you, the viewer, a glimpse into the better part of my life. The struggles have been many, but I am determined to win. I have been accepted by Adrian College, but I will not be able to come to the United States in August as a college freshman without your help.
My plea to you is that you make a donation to my college fund. I promise I will be totally dedicated to my studies. I promise I will study hard. I promise I will make all of you, who invest in me, very proud.
I can change my life positively, and help my family and Burkina Faso community, if you give to Ariane’s College Fund on the GoFund Me account.
Please donate and share my story with your family and friends. Every dime of the money will be accounted for me and will benefit me.
With your support, I will enroll in the fall and begin an exciting new chapter of my life. Education is one key to success, and I have the ability to be a member of the class of 2026, if you help me.
Blessings to you, from me and my family.
Respectfully, Ariane
College Acceptances
Adrian College
Out of the 40+ colleges and universities Ariane has applied to in the United States, she has been accepted by 2 - one of which is Adrian College in Michigan. Even with scholarships and grants, Ariane cannot afford to attend Adrian College without your financial support.
Mississippi State University
Ariane was recently admitted to Mississippi State University. As is the case with her other options, Ariane cannot afford to attend Mississippi State without your help.
Pending/Finalist
Berea College
Ariane has applied to Berea College in Kentucky, which awards every enrolled student a no-tuition promise. Her application is currently under consideration for admission.
Wait Listed
Reed College
Wofford College
Lawrence University
College Application Materials
Resume
Ariane’s Common App Essay
I am Nongbzanga Ariane Fabiola Ouedraogo, and I live in Burkina Faso, which means land of upright men. Burkina Faso is a French-speaking country in West Africa that boasts integrity as a key value. Personally, my living conditions are difficult. My father is unemployed, and my mother earns a meager income as a teacher. On it, she supports not just our immediate family of 10, but also our extended family. Despite our health, housing, food, and school issues, I admire my parents’ courage and determination to strive for better living conditions. They serve as my example of great leaders. My life has been a struggle, but an excellent academic background, unique experiences, and strong relationships have prepared me to reach my greatest potential, and live up to my village-nickname “Ariane the Amazon!”
Growing up, my mother taught me important life lessons: fight to live with dignity, respect others, and recognize that every profession is a noble one. My father taught me that doing well in school, working hard, and giving my best to every task no matter how menial are ways to achieve success in life. I attended a Catholic high school and due to my parents’ advice, I was always in the top of my class, and I was recognized by my instructors and peers as an exemplary, disciplined, respectful, and hardworking student.
My highest success so far, and that of which I am most proud, is the Road Safety Project I implemented after being selected by the U.S. Embassy to participate in a Pan-African Ambassador/Leadership Program in 2019. I have personally lost friends in tragic traffic accidents, and this has deeply affected me. I was chosen to be an Ambassador for this program based on my discipline, my strong leadership skills and my intelligence. To visit the U.S. had been my biggest dream, and I believed it could never come true. During this program, we learned about leadership, community activism, project design, conflict resolution, volunteering, and all the other tools necessary to have a positive impact in the community. The leadership program culminated with the design and presentation of a project before a distinguished committee in Washington, D.C. My Road Safety Project received excellent mentions for originality and for community impact. When I returned to my country, I met with the U.S. Ambassador, who helped fund my project, and with the help of friends, family, and the U.S. Embassy, I implemented my plan to improve road safety so that hopefully, a student never again dies on the road due to a traffic accident. I intend to keep this project active, long term, by targeting other schools, other neighborhoods, and other cities.
I have persevered through many things growing up in one of the world’s poorest counties. Spotty internet, traveling miles to school, selling ice water and juice from a cart I push around town, sharing a 2-bedroom dwelling without indoor plumbing with 10 members of my family, the sudden and devastating death of my brother a few years ago (he was just 24). I have also experienced great things, and I have big plans I want to implement after college. I have even started my own nonprofit association, Dunni Paale, which means New World in our mother tongue to help vulnerable people in my country. I still remember the words of my father when I didn’t do well on a term grade, “Ariane, we are in a world of high competition; there is no place for mediocre; it is not enough to work but to work well; Ariane you are able to do better.” Two words caught my attention: “competition” and “mediocrity”. I am determined to heed my father’s advice. One day, I will be exceptional, and I will realize my dream of studying at a U.S. college, which will educate me and allow me to return to my homeland and work towards solving its major problems.
Why Donate?
Supporters
Dr. Wanda Humphrey
Dr. Wanda Ward Humphrey is a native of Perry County, Alabama. Her undergraduate, postsecondary, and terminal degrees were conferred at Alabama A&M University, Normal Alabama, and Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi. While at Alabama A&M University, Wanda joined the sisterhood of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
Dr. Humphrey is a Professor at Athens State University, Athens, Alabama. She is also a licensed Alabama Real Estate agent and works at Keller Williams Realty, Huntsville, Alabama. Dr. Humphrey has served the community as a volunteer with Global Ties of Alabama (where she has met leaders from around the world) and the Limestone County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Realizing that social media is a dominant force in the lives of P-16 age youth, she educates this population about the myriad ways a post, Snap, or text can impact lives through distracted driving, sexting, cyber bullying, and more. She also uses her Instagram (2comfortablesm) as a platform to bring awareness to the pitfalls of inappropriate social media engagement. Additionally, Dr. Humphrey facilitates College Success workshops for high school and college students.
Mrs. Josephine Lowery
Josephine Rose Lowery is the Executive Director and co-founder of College Choice Foundation (CCF), a nonprofit organization which assists high-achieving students from less-resourced backgrounds (primarily in Birmingham) gain admission to the most-affordable college that best suits them. CCF then provides resources to help them graduate from college. Prior to delving into non-profit work, Lowery practiced law with Balch & Bingham, LLP. In 2020, Lowery was selected as one of the 25 Women Who Shape the State of Alabama by This is Alabama. Lowery graduated Phi Beta Kappa from The University of the South (Sewanee) (cum laude) and from The University of Georgia School of Law (cum laude).
Mr. Larry Thornton
Larry Thornton is President and Owner of Thornton Enterprises, Inc., a McDonald’s Franchisee. He serves on the Board of Directors for Coca-Cola Bottling Company United, Inc and First Commercial Bank (Synovus). He is primarily known as a business man and artist, however in April of 2019, he released his first book, Why Not Win? a reflection on his fifty-year journey from the Jim Crow South to America’s boardrooms and the lessons he learned. Larry is known for saying he is excited about the book, but is more excited about what the book is doing. Since the book, the Why Not Win Institute, a leadership and professional development initiative has launched and has been delivered at Clemson University, Auburn University, Texas A&M University, University of Alabama, Fisk University, Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University.
Thornton was born in Montgomery, Alabama and graduated from Alabama State University with a Bachelors of Science Degree in Fine Arts. He taught High School Fine Arts at Vestavia Hills High School and subsequently joined Birmingham Coca-Cola where he served as Advertising Manager and Director of Business Development. He was the recipient of the Moss A. Kendrix award, a national distinction presented by Coca-Cola USA for excellence in community relations.
Thornton has also served in the following capacities:
A.G. Gaston Boys’ Club Board of Directors
Big Brothers/Big Sisters Board of Directors and Big Brother Volunteer
Girls Incorporated, Board of Directors and Past President
United Way of Central Alabama
Chairman of the United Negro College Fund in 1995
Birmingham Museum of Art Board of Directors
Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham
Thornton is a past President of the Kiwanis Club of Vulcan and was named Kiwanian of the Year in 1988 and 1992, as well as State Kiwanian of the Year in 1993. He was elected in 1994 as Lt. Governor of the Alabama State District of Kiwanis. He is a current member of Birmingham Downtown Kiwanis Club, the largest Kiwanis Chapter in the world and is the incoming president in 2020. He is a graduate of Project Corporate Leadership Class, Leadership Birmingham, and Leadership Alabama.
Thornton served as Advertising and Marketing Representative for McDonald’s Corporation’s National Marketing in the area of the African American Consumer Markets and Media Budget.
In 2013 Larry was appointed by the Governor of Alabama, to the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Alabama State University and was elected Chairman of the Board in 2014.
Larry continues to produce limited and open edition art. Some of the proud owners of pieces of the Larry Thornton art collection include world famous Maya Angelou, Oprah Winfrey, former US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and President of McDonald’s Corporation Worldwide, Don Thompson.
Mr. Jason Brown
Contact
Email: arianescollegefund@gmail.com
Phone: (205) 401-4212
Pledge Your Support
If you would like to make more than a one time donation, please contact us using the form below to pledge your support during Ariane’s college journey.