A safe & secure future for Emilio and Orlando.
#EOTwinsNeverGiveUp
You have the power to change two lives for
ever...
Imagine losing your Mum at 14 and then being out on the streets of Maracay in Venezuala trying to survive with your twin brother.
Eight months ago by sheer coincidence I was delayed at Singapore airport and I met Emilio Gil one of the EOTWINS online and we began a relationship. Over the eight months I have known him he has told me the story of his life with his twin brother Orlando. Their life was tough growing up in Venezuela. Their Dad was tough and strict but their Mum was loving and kind and one of the best. But shortly before they turned 14 years old she developed cancer and over the course of the next 12 months deteriorated and died. (There is an old photograph below of them with their Mum.) Their Dad, unable to look after them left them to survive on the dangerous streets of
Maracay.
Their Mum had taught them to dance from a
young age and after her death they danced on the streets for spare change. As the conditions
in Venezuela deteriorated they got a
miraculous opportunity to go to Dublin on a
dance visa for one year organized by a school
friend who saw their incredible talent but
knew they did not have the finances to do it
themselves. Since then they have managed to continue dancing and improve their skills.
On several occasions they have been asked by well known choreographers like Paris Goebel
to go to New Zealand to train with her. They
were 24 then. They made two separate
immigration applications that were refused
both times due to not having enough living
expenses money. Because they have no
parents to support them financially they were never accepted to go. They were devastated
both times. Their dream ultimately is to get
a talent VISA to the USA to audition for big
name performers and they definitely have the talent. Have a look at their Instagram page
EOTWINS. Separate from this is that it is too
dangerous for them to return to Venezuela
and so they have been doing whatever they
can to stay in countries that allow
Venezuelans to travel there. But this has been a challenge and Covid 19 has made it so much harder.
This cause is about creating a life for Emilio
and Orlando where they no longer have to
fight to stay out of Venezuela with its lack of
healthcare and collapsing economical
infrastructure. The last 10 years they have
continually had to move countries and
locations so that they did not become illegal
but all this time have not had healthcare or
even been allowed to have a bank account.
There are times they have needed to see a
dentist or a GP and would not go for fear of
the costs involved. Furthermore these two are incredibly talented and desperately want the opportunity to be the best at what they do and to work for well-known dance companies.
This Go fund me has been set up by a
group of people that want to see Emilio and
Orlando succeed. For myself, I have been so
lucky in my life and had the financial support
to achieve my dreams. As I have come to know Emilio I realise that he and Orlando lost all
support - interpersonally and financially from
their parents at the age of 14. They have not
been able to achieve their dreams simply
because of their nationality. We want to see
them both achieve their dreams. and fulfill
their potential as dancers but to also have a
safe country to live in and stop fearing theyll
have to return to Venezuala.
This means so much to us because we love
these guys and see how hard they train every day and also how hard they struggle every day. We want to give them the chance to succeed.
Our plan: To get the twins to Australia to
study English on a one year student VISA.
From here they can continue dance training at a dance studio in Sydney or Melbourne.
In January they will train in N.Z. with Paris Goebel to get better at their skill/craft and to
potentially be noticed for work.
With these funds they would be allowed in
Australia on a student VISA to work 20 hours per week so once here they can support
themselves. And I will also sponsor them
myself.
After one year when they are stable they will
apply for a talent VISA to the USA or an
ongoing VISA to stay in Australia.
This will help them
1.) Achieve their dance dreams.
2.) Find stability and to be legal in a country
finally.
3.) Become fluent in English.
The twins are also currently fund raising and will be paying for the immigration lawyer
service fees.
How the money will be spent.
We hope to raise AU$43,000 which is
US$30,000
Money to support them in Australia for one
year. Aust Government requires minimum of AU$18,610 x 2 =$ 37,220 (US 25,000)
Visa application x 2 = $620 x 2 = Total $1,240
The English course they will study $280 per month for 9 months Total $5,040
Total: AU$43,500
Health Insurance will be covered by myself
$3,000
Immigration Lawyer services $3,000 Will be
covered by the twins.
We are currently working with dance schools
in Melbourne, Sydney & New Zealand to see if they would be willing to offer scholarships to Emilio and Orlando in the time they are here. Paris Goebel’s school in New Zealand have just told us they have extended an audition to them again for 2021.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
These boys have never given up on their dream
despite so many obstacles and lack of finances.
So we’re not going to give up on them.
#EOTwinsNeverGiveUp
For anyone who donates we will send
regular updates of our progress in getting
the twins to Australia and the journey to
helping their dream come true. We want you
to be part of that journey.
To help get the word out, you can share the
link to your Facebook Timeline!
https://cutt.ly/uivB7dJ
instagram.com/eotwins
https://uk.reuters.com/article/venezuela-lgbt-refugees/feature-living-in-venezuela-now-is-hard-being-lgbt-makes-it-harder-idUKL8N1YM3DI