Louis from San Diego, CA

I'm off to UC Berkeley on a full scholarship but I need supplies & a train ticket to get there

I'm an asylee. I studied hard in community college & got into the school of my dreams! Now I need to get there and buy my dorm and school supplies.

Updates

Thanks and update from Tammy: Sep 9, 2013

Thank you so much to all those who helped Louis get to his dream school! He was absolutely overjoyed and appreciative in how quickly his need was funded, as were all of us here at Survivors. I wish all of you could have experienced the joy that Louis felt when he heard the good news! With your help, Louis was able to get to school and move in without a problem. He is attending his classes and just loving everything about Berkeley. There is no doubt in my mind that Louis will continue to excel and be able to help others in his community do the same. Thank you so much to all who made his getting to school a possibility!

Message from Louis: Jul 31, 2013

I would like to thank everybody from the bottom of my heart for their generosity. There was no way I could make it to Berkeley, school of my dreams. I wish I could tell them face to face how thankful I am. No words can describe how I felt once I heard that the need was funded. First of all, the funding took only three days. I wished I could write to each of the donors and thank them personally. I realized that out there, there are people with a big heart. I was so happy that I cried. This need being met will help me to follow my dreams. Thank you again.

Overview

My current situation is that I have been accepted as a full-time student at UC Berkeley on a full scholarship. However, the problem is I currently have no way and no funds to travel to Berkeley from San Diego to attend school and orientation. I also need help purchasing basic supplies for moving into my dorm room.

I need funds for transportation and dorm supplies in order to attend UC Berkeley. This includes a one-way train ticket from San Diego to Berkeley and dorm supplies, such as but not limited to: bedding, hygiene materials, and school supplies (pens, notebooks, backpack, etc.).

Meeting this need will help me because I will be able to physically get to school and attend my courses. I'm really worried about how I can get to school. It would mean so much to me to be able to attend my dream school.

My goal is to major in International Relations with a minor in Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution. I would like to help other torture survivors and stop torture from ever happening again.

Right now, my biggest challenge is being able to get to school because even though I have been accepted on a full scholarship, I have no way of funding my travels to Berkeley from San Diego and to help furnish my dorm room when I move in.

I am a survivor of torture currently living in the U.S. as a legal permanent resident. I had to seek asylum in the U.S. because of civil war and conflict in my home country. During this time, many of my family members were killed. I was eventually granted asylum. Two years ago, I decided to return to school to get a degree. I began attending classes at Grossmont College. I have persevered in my education despite many hardships and barriers, including homelessness and unemployment. Now I can proudly say that I have been accepted on a full scholarship to UC Berkeley, the school of my dreams.

I think of myself mostly as a hard worker and dedicated to my education. I'm most proud of my decision to go back to school and get a degree.

Something interesting about me is I possess empathy, humility, and understanding.

I've worked at jobs including customer service and translation for French.

Need funded!

Thank you for helping Louis fund this need.

$505of $505

Need funded!

19 supporters

Validated

This need has been validated by Tammy from Survivors of Torture, International

Recent supporters

  1. $25
  2. $50
  3. $25
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  5. $25
  6. $25
  7. $5
  8. $75
  9. $25
  10. $10
  11. $10
  12. $5
  13. $20
  14. $25
  15. $25
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  17. $25
  18. $50
  19. $30

Validated

Validated by Tammy from Survivors of Torture, International (What does this mean?)

I have known Louis since I began working at SURVIVORS in November 2012. I most recently have begun working with him to achieve his educational goals.

I think meeting this need is important because it will allow Louis to travel to his dream school, UC Berkeley, and be able to start his new life as a college student. Louis is a very determined and hard working person and I believe that he will be successful at whatever he attempts.

This will move Louis's life forward by allowing him to physically travel to UC Berkeley so that he may attend his courses and graduate with his degree. Louis is planning to major in International Relations with a minor in Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Louis has always displayed very impressive dedication towards his academic goals despite many hardships and personal losses as a SURVIVOR of war and torture. Louis has always placed his education as a top priority. While attending Grossmont College, he was homeless for a period of time but remained steadfast in excelling in his very heavy courseload and managed to maintain a very high GPA. While attempts were made to connect him to homeless shelters, Louis made a very difficult decision to remain homeless as to not disrupt his studies because the curfew schedule would interfere with his evening class hours. I am so proud that he has been accepted on a full scholarship to UC Berkeley and thankful of the community's support of him.

About Tammy

My job title is Clinical Case Manager. I have been in this position since November 2012. My work involves meeting with clients, through a combination of office and home visits, to address their case management needs. I assess and provide appropriate referrals to clients’ basic needs such as… Read more