Launching the MWS Tuition Assistance Fund

Through the generosity of its donors, Khyentse Foundation has been supporting Middle Way with 75% of our operating costs. We would like to move to a more diversified and sustainable model, and to that end we are launching the MWS Tuition Assistance Fund. The fund will allow us to continue meeting the needs of all of our families so that we remain a truly inclusive community. Our families have expressed their deep appreciation for this support by consistently working to make the school a better place through ideas, hard work, donations, and overall goodwill. We are now opening this funding channel so that people can also make financial contributions directly to the school.

DONATE HERE

Special Campaign

Our original plan was to launch the fund in the late spring, but a situation has arisen that calls for an urgent response. One of our dear founding families is facing insurmountable medical bills and informed us that the children would have to withdraw from Middle Way. The children have been thriving at our school and are an important part of the community. As a small start-up school, losing three students would be a heavy blow, both socially and financially.

Therefore by supporting the Hope family to continue, donors will also be supporting the school.

Our goal is to raise $23,000 by May 1, which will cover the remaining tuition for all three children, including their financial aid

Vira Hope, a single mother of four, three of whom are Middle Way School students, welcomed the opportunity to share the story behind her present need and volunteered to write about her experience at the school:

Vira’s Story: The Right School, The Right Time

On August 31, 2019, Vira’s 4th child was born with unfortunate complications during the delivery. Baby Kitai was born without a heartbeat. Nurses worked diligently to revive Kitai, and after 17 minutes, she took her first breath. Kitai has been diagnosed with HIE (Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy), a type of brain damage that occurs when an infant’s brain doesn’t receive enough oxygen and blood. Kitai now suffers from multiple seizures, which can lead to disabilities ranging from delayed development to full Cerebral Palsy. As the extent of the damage cannot be determined at this time, Kitai will be receiving much needed early intervention via occupational therapy and physical therapy. Vira is also working hard to provide her with alternative holistic therapies such as acupuncture, TCM, and cranio-sacral therapy.

In her own words…

I’m a single mom with four kids, all of whom have been homeschooled because I was not confident with the public school system’s ability to support my children. When I was expecting my 4th child, I decided to enroll Ivan (9), Syra (7), and Dale (5) at Middle Way because it seemed that the school offered a structure and individualized support similar to what I’ve provided at home.

The children struggled for a bit, as this was their first time in a formal classroom setting. After Kitai was born, they also struggled due to me traveling back and forth every day from the hospital. I wasn’t able to be really present for them. They felt my stress and anxiety, and it manifested differently for each child.

I am filled with gratitude for the Middle Way community, they have really held me and my children. The teachers were patient and worked to meet the kids where they were at, both academically and emotionally. I am also so grateful to the parent community, as they came together to provide us with hearty meals and assistance with pick-up and drop offs. Their collective efforts have meant so much. Once Kitai was discharged home, the children’s behavior changed for the better, both at home and at school.

These past 3 months, the children have grown in their love for Middle Way, their teachers, and classmates. They have been making huge strides. It’s an upward trajectory as they stretch themselves guided by an amazing staff. I’m no longer alone.

A quality education is costly. I would love for them to remain in school, but I also need to take care of the family’s basic needs. With all of the medical expenses from the birth and the future expenses to come, meeting the tuition for the school has left me at a crossroads.

Blessings,

Vira

Please consider contributing to the MWS Financial Aid Fund. Donations received by May 1st will directly pay for tuition for Vira’s children so that they can continue to be an important part of the Middle Way community. Any excess funds will be put toward our general tuition assistance fund. DONATE HERE.