All for Sid, Sid for all
I had accepted my fate.
It is what it is.
I was ready to go back to India after organizing the Connect Conference and spending some days with my friends, Sun and Luna.
Sun and Luna.
They are family, home. One from Korea and one from the Netherlands; compassionate, strong-willed women always ready to take on the world for all the unjust they see.
We are hanging out on the couch, talking about the challenges people from other economically backward countries face to study in Europe.
“We did not know that you are required to pay such high fee to study here!”
“Of course, the governments would not use their tax money to fund foreigners...”
“That makes me sad. I really want you to be able to follow your dreams.”
“This system is SHIT! How much do you need?”
*Me, taking time to calculate...* “26XXX.”
“Okay, so here is the plan: we try to raise half by Crowdfunding and other half by fundraising events.”
“I don’t know guys. I don’t know…”
I felt embarrassed and afraid. I had many doubts.
How is this possible? I don’t deserve their money.
Why should anyone give their money to me?
I’m uncomfortable asking for help.
I learnt from my family that this is how we thrive in this world: with each others support; and support can be a hug, or a gift, a smile or a chat, a feeling or money; that we are receiving and giving all the time; that I can receive the support and pay it forward.
This thought is very humbling. I respect what I receive and what I have.
It’s a gift. And I am open to sharing these gifts now.
So, this is my first step - our step - to put this intention out for raising my university fee.
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"We are Sun and Luna. And we have a friend named Sid. We met in 2017 in Sweden, and since have been travelling through life’s highs and lows together. Now Sid is nearing low. Low in opportunities and finances, in a world that is high in greed, but also high in hopes and dreams. We believe in abundance and - call us idealists - transforming the unattainable into reality. Now we’re asking for your help to make this happen.
Sid has been accepted to do a masters degree in Educational Science and Technology at the University of Twente in the Netherlands, but his application for scholarship from the school was not accepted of grounds that his previous, unrelated degree in Engineering. It is incredibly expensive for non-EU students to study in Europe, and Sid cannot pay for his studies. Loans in India are low, he cannot obtain a working visa here, and the situation seems hopeless. This is Sid’s dream, his wish and aspiration, and there are no financial means with us to make it happen.
Still, we’re not giving up. We are certain that there are people out there - friends, family, vague acquaintances, unknown individuals, you - that are willing to support Sid. So we’re reaching out. In our self-centered, individualistic, unbalanced society in which resources are unequally divided, it becomes increasingly important to take care of each other. We need to stand together, whether we’re neighbours or strangers. With but a small contribution from many, we can send Sid to the Netherlands and into the University. With your help, we can change the future of a single person, who will change the lives of others, and thus together, we can transform the entire world."
~
Have you ever come across something you knew was right, you knew would change the course of your life?
Have you ever been unable to pursue your dreams due to lack of money?
Have you ever needed to reach out to strangers, and ask for help?
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How to donate?
- with your credit card or debit card through the button on this page
- Transfer to bank account (INDIA):
ICICI BANK Acc. no. : 004501551770
IFSC Code: ICIC0000045
-International transfers:
L.M. Stassen
IBAN: NL30TRIO 0212269836
BIC: TRIONL2U
If you have people in your immediate area who also can help, would you please share this page with them? We could really use the your reference :) Thank you for your support
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To know more about Sid and friends, follow us at Sid Hearts Chai Bar
Thank you for taking out time to read our story!
