My name is Dias. I am a transgender man from Kyrgyzstan, currently living in Germany as a recognized refugee. I left my country in January 2021 because being openly LGBTQ+ in Kyrgyzstan meant living in constant fear. I faced persecution for simply being myself and had no access to safe work or medical care.

Germany has given me safety, and I am deeply grateful for that. But surviving as a refugee is still a daily challenge. I work full-time, but most of my income goes toward rent, taxes, and basic needs. I simply cannot afford the cost of visiting my family, and now this trip has become more urgent than ever.

It has been nearly five years since I last hugged my mother, my grandmother, and my younger relatives, the children I helped raise who are now nearly grown. We stay in touch through video calls, but I miss them terribly. And now I fear that I may be running out of time.

My grandmother’s health is declining. I cannot return to Kyrgyzstan safely, and entering Kazakhstan requires a visa. This might be my only chance to say goodbye in person while she is still alive.

I am planning to travel to Kazakhstan in July during my vacation from work. We hope to reunite in Kordai, a village near the Kyrgyz border, where it is easier for everyone to meet. I am currently in the process of applying for a visa, but the total cost of the trip, travel, and lodging is far beyond what I can afford on my own.

Here is what I need support with:

• A round-trip direct flight from Frankfurt to Almaty (around 800 EUR) to avoid risky transit routes that require extra visas

• Kazakhstan visa application fees (around 100 EUR)

• Travel to Berlin for the visa appointment including round-trip train and accommodation for 4 to 5 nights

• 2 to 3 nights in Almaty depending on arrival and departure times

• 12 days in Kordai to be with my family

My vacation is from July 11 to July 25.

I am asking for your help to make this reunion possible. It is a moment of love, farewell, and healing.

If you can donate, I would be deeply grateful. If not, please consider sharing this campaign with others. Every bit of support means the world to me.

With heartfelt thanks,

Dias