hi and welcome to my fundraiser, I am humbly asking you to help me help myself…

My name is Yaron—an amateur ethnobotanist, regenerative gardener, ecological artisan, and a passionate cook from London.

After a life of hardship and difficulty that has placed me at a disadvantage, I find myself at a defining moment—one where I must choose not only how to survive, but how to truly live.

In 2015, everything changed.

I suffered a near-fatal episode of meningitis. Surviving came at a cost: I lost a portion of my eyesight. That moment marked a profound rupture in my life—a point from which everything had to be re-evaluated, relearned, and reimagined.

Since then, I have been living on welfare benefits.

While that support has been essential, it has also placed limits on how I can grow, work, and shape my future. It has created a structure where survival is possible—but expansion is restricted. Over time, I began to feel that my life was being contained within systems that were not designed to help me fully realize my potential.

More recently, I went through a deeply painful breakup that left me emotionally and practically vulnerable. It removed a layer of stability and brought me face-to-face with an urgent truth:

I cannot remain where I am.

This year, I turn 35.

And for me, that is not just a milestone—it is a turning point.

A moment to pivot toward self-realization, independence, and a life that reflects the full depth of who I am.

Despite everything, I have continued to build myself.

I have studied fine art. Alongside that, I have spent years teaching myself—autodidactically—about botany, developing a deep understanding of plant life, ecology, and their cultural and medicinal significance. I have also received formal training in horticulture.

These are not isolated interests.

They are the foundation of a larger vision.

A vision that brings together food, cultivation, sustainability, culture, and innovation.

⸻

Where I Am Going

I am now ready to take a decisive step forward.

I am seeking to enroll in a four-year degree in Culinary Arts and Gastronomy in Spain, with the University of Alicante as my first choice.

After exploring institutions globally—including the Basque Culinary Center and the Barcelona Culinary Institute—I have chosen this path because it is both accessible and strategic. It allows me to begin now, rather than waiting for ideal circumstances.

Spain offers more than education.

It offers immersion.

A chance to live abroad, learn a new language, and engage with a region that aligns with my long-term interests in climate resilience, food systems, culture, production, and innovation.

During my studies, I will work as much as I am allowed—taking on part-time roles in kitchens, cleaning, or wherever needed—to support myself and gain real-world experience.

My goal is not simply to study.

My goal is to transform.

⸻

The Vision Beyond the Degree

I am working toward creating an agro-tourism ecological venture and educational space.

A place where food, land, and knowledge intersect.

A place that supports individuals who have been excluded from traditional systems—whether through disability, disadvantage, or lack of access—and gives them the opportunity to learn, work, and thrive in environments that recognize their capabilities.

But for that vision to exist, I must first be included.

As someone who is visually impaired, I want to step into spaces where people like me are rarely represented. I want to help redefine what is possible—not only in terms of ability, but within the culinary world itself.

To create dishes that tell stories.

To express emotion through flavour.

To explore the intersection of food, medicine, biodiversity, and sustainability.

And to challenge the status quo with ideas that support diversity, climate resilience, and innovation.

⸻

What I Need to Make This Possible

To take this step, I need to raise a total of €20,000.

Breakdown:

• €8,640 – Tuition for the four-year gastronomy program at the University of Alicante

• Approximately €500 per year – Mandatory private health insurance for the student visa

• Remaining funds – To meet the IPREM financial requirement set by the Spanish government, required to obtain a student visa and legally reside in Spain

⸻

Immediate Urgency

My first critical milestone is to raise €2,200 by July 4th.

This is the admission fee required to secure my place in the program.

Without this, I will lose the opportunity to enroll this year.

⸻

My Commitment Moving Forward

I am fully committed to working throughout my studies—maximizing the allowed working hours under a student visa (up to 30 hours per week, where applicable).

If I am able to raise the full amount, I will:

• Support myself through part-time work

• Seek ways to give back—either directly to those who supported me or by reinvesting into my future

• Build toward further study or the creation of a business upon graduation

This is not about remaining dependent.

It is about creating a foundation for independence—and eventually extending that opportunity to others.

⸻

Why This Matters

This is more than a request for funding.

It is a request for a chance.

A chance to step beyond limitation.

A chance to move beyond dependency.

A chance to build a life defined by purpose, creativity, and contribution.

I am ready.

I am determined.

And I am willing to work harder than I ever have before.

All I need is the opportunity to begin.

therefore, any support towards me achieving this endeavor would be sincerely appreciated,

thank you!