A crowdfunding campaign has bailed out a Melbourne University from a difficult situation who was facing expulsion and possible deportation to her home country.
Nearly $20,000 in donations from 145 people came as a much-needed succour to economics student Sanduni Sulochana who had a rising university debt due to an unpaid fee of $4500 earlier this year and another $8000 payment due on 7 September.
Sanduni can finally breathe easy thanks to her close friend Thavisha Rambukwella who set up the campaign. She said Ms Sulochana's family in Sri Lanka had found themselves unable to support their daughter in Melbourne.
"It was hard for me to see her in this situation and listen to her be so negative about most things about her life," Ms Rambukwella told AAP.
"She had asked a few people for help but no one responded and her deadline was so soon that I decided to do something about it."
Thavisha was confident some people would help and set up a GoFundMe campaign - complete with pictures of a smiling Sanduni.
“Let us help her graduate. She is an amazing person and has been working really hard at her studies while going through all of this hardship. As she has come all this way, she deserves any help and any donations will be very much appreciated,” Ms Rambukwella wrote on the campaign page.
But Ms Rambukwella admits she was overwhelmed when $19,069 was donated, which will completely cover Ms Sulochana's final semester.
"It was amazing ... Sanduni is over the moon and in shock at how many people got behind her.
"It restored her faith in people and she is so happy right now, which is so nice to see."
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