Agree, keep going and never give up!
Your story is very touching but please do not relent. There are many doors that will open up for you if you dont stop going. All the best.
My story is one of humble beginnings, limited resources, and enormous challenges, both financial and emotional. I was born into a working-class family. My parents often struggled to make ends meet. I began to work the moment I was legally able to so that I could help with household finances. When the time to choose colleges came, I chose to attend the state university 10 miles away from my parent’s home. Unlike many of my classmates, I did not dare to dream. Having a job was detrimental and education was a luxury that I could only afford on a thinly spread budget. Unlike the typical college student, I spend my weekends working 40+ hours, taking an average of 6 classes per semester. The majority of my assignments were completed in a hospital setting. Whatever time I had between classes and work, I spent next to my father, who underwent multiple rounds of chemo and radiotherapy. Unlike most college students, I considered my college years to be the saddest period of my life. During my junior year, my father’s medical expenses wiped the entire savings of my family. I had to withdraw from the university for a year so that I could work more and save some money to afford the fees for the following year. By the time my senior year rolled around, the financial crisis had wiped out any dreams and aspirations I had over the previous years. I knew that entering the job market would be tough. So I moved to a different country to do a master’s degree in economics and finance. The reason for going to a different country was financial; I could get quality education at a well-ranked school for ¼ of the price. During my master's studies, I started a family. My oldest child was born two months after I completed the program and his brother followed 14 months later. It was during the European Sovereign Debt Crisis, I was jobless but happy for the first time in a very long time. My parents were healthy (and financially stable). It seemed that my life had stabilized until my partner sustained severe injuries in an accident, which ultimately led to a permanent disability. Despite having two babies and a disabled partner who relied on me for their every need, I still found the energy and the desire to push forward. I enrolled in a doctorate program. I am expected to complete my dissertation within the next few months. But once again, luck is not on our side. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced me to postpone my dissertation and has likely considerably hindered my job prospects. I am interested in serving and working for others. I would have liked to enroll in OECD/IMF/WBG young professionals programs, however, the age limit for those is 32. I have just turned 33... It seems that no matter how hard I work, I am always faced with devastating blows. Had I not had children, had I not started a family, had I not had to take time out from school, had I not lived through two of the greatest crises most living persons have experienced had my father not been on his death bed multiple times I would not have had a problem to meet the age limit before applying. But… I was born poor. Not every door that was closed was locked. I pushed longer than most and most of the doors I pushed had opened. Oftentimes we see inspirational messages about the worlds’ greatest minds not reaching their full potential until later in life. Yong Professional Programs, would you please, for the love of God, unlock your doors for people like me? We have had long and exceptionally hard journeys and could use a break from constantly pushing excruciatingly heavy doors!