Near-suicide due to tuition fees

TUITION fees for most universities and colleges in the country are increasing, and parents and guardians are working hard to meet the required fees before the end of registration.
In this time, students are also having a hard time battling with negative thoughts.
Some are planning evil and some are losing hope.
I remember my situation last year.
Coming from an average family and having my elder sister in a university made tuition fee a lot harder.
At the beginning of 2023, I moved to the University of Goroka empty-handed.
I told my family to give first priority to my sister.
I missed the early registration weeks. The registration date ended. My last choice was to pay K200 for late registration.
I felt like I was not going to make it through the 2023 academic year.
I experienced mental pain.
I kept myself quiet. I sat down in my room wondering. What will I do?
I felt so down, but an old friend asked if we could use her excess fees to pay my fees. However, the idea did not work for me since she was from another province and the university did not allow internal transfers for students from different provinces.
My last option was to wait for my family for a school fee loan.
Days passed with two days remaining before the late registration closes. I gave up hope. I went out clubbing and trying to sell my laptop and go back home.
The night before my flight, my friend called me and said: “No situation is permanent, God will help you. I have faith in you. Just be patient and stay back.”
Her words silence all the negative thoughts that came to mind. I cancelled my flight and waited for my family.
A day later I received the good news. My family sent me K10,000 for my fees. I was joyous and got my fees paid on the final day of late registration.
To all my student friends, if you’re facing financial issues right now, do not give up. Keep a hold of yourself at this time of confusion and frustration.
The more you stay in peace, the likely better understanding, decisions and directions you’ll make.
Additionally, find someone that you love and let him/her talk to you. Love heals every broken heart.
When a broken heart is healed, peace follows and patience is built.

Damien Engime