A University of Sheffield student who returned to Kenya after the death of her mother is facing a race against time to complete degree it is discontinued in 2027.

Vanessa Tchakoutio was forced to put her dreams of being an architect on hold after the sudden death of her mother after a battle with cancer.

Fundraiser organiser, Manubea Mfodwo, hopes the kindness of strangers will help her friend return from Kenya and finish the degree she loves before it is too late.

A University of Sheffield student who returned to Kenya after the death of her mother is facing a race against time to complete degree it is discontinued in 2027. | Contributed

placeholder image — A University of Sheffield student who returned to Kenya after the death of her mother is facing a race against time to complete degree it is discontinued in 2027. | Contributed

Vanessa, aged 25, was two years into a combined structural engineering and architecture degree when she received the devastating news that her mother had died.

With little time to prepare, she left Sheffield and travelled back to Kenya to be with her family - expecting that she would eventually be able to return to complete her studies.

Instead, financial pressures and the need to help look after her younger siblings, including her 12-year-old sister, have left her stranded thousands of miles away.

Her return has now become even more urgent with the discontinuation of her specialist degree after 2027.

If she is unable to return before then, all of the work she put into the two previous years of her degree will be wasted, with no option but to restart a new degree.

Manubea, 22, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help Vanessa clear her outstanding university fees and raise enough money to return to Sheffield and complete the course before the opportunity is lost.

The pair met while studying at the University of Sheffield, where they worked together as Diversity Champions, speaking to students about diversity, inclusion and consent.

Vanessa is fundraising to finish her UOS degree | Contributed

Reflecting on the moment everything changed, Manubea said: “We thought she’d be able to come back, but financially that just hasn’t been possible.”

Watching her friend continue to put others first inspired her to start the fundraiser.

“It came from seeing her determination and her willingness to help other people, even with everything that’s happened, she’s still thinking about other people and helping those around her,” she said.

“I know how difficult it is to ask for financial help, so I wanted to be the person who did that for her.”

Speaking about the uncertainty surrounding Vanessa’s studies, Manubea said: “She’s worked so hard to get where she is - it would be heartbreaking for all of that to be lost.”

Despite the grief she is carrying, her friend said Vanessa has never stopped dreaming about the future.

“She wants to be an architect, and she’s passionate about helping children and giving something back to communities, whether that’s helping build schools or supporting young people,” she said.

Describing Vanessa, Manubea said she is someone who always puts others before herself: “She’s incredibly selfless, she’s caring, she’s an amazing listener and she’s one of those people who walks into a room and just brings joy.

“The thing that amazes me most is that even after everything she’s been through, she’ll still get on the phone and encourage me if I’m struggling. She’s always lifting other people up.”

The fundraiser has already received over £5,000 in donations from friends, family and complete strangers, something Manubea said has spurred her on.

“I’ve never organised anything like this before, so it’s been quite overwhelming, but seeing people choose to help, especially when times are tough for so many, has been really encouraging,” she said.

There is a still a long way to go to reach the £31,000 funding goal.

The money that has already been raised will go towards clearing Vanessa’s outstanding university fees.

Manubea hopes the remaining money raised will cover the university fees for Vanessa’s third year, Visa and travel costs, as well as her rent and living costs for the year.

She added that for anyone who is unable to donate, any information on spare rooms, or discounted accommodation for the year would be greatly appreciated.

She said: “Vanessa will be overwhelmed with gratitude, even if we don’t reach the full amount, just knowing that people cared enough to stop and help is something she’ll remember for a very long time.”