Black medical students in Ukraine displaced by war
Donation protected
Friends, earlier this week I spoke with Jessica Orakpo who recently fled from Ternopil, Ukraine to Debrecen, Hungary with almost nothing. She was her Class President at Ternopil National Medical University and is currently with 30 fellow students — the next generation of Black doctors — most originally from Nigeria, Ghana, and Zambia.
Jessica was excited to finish her medical degree on June 23 and her life has obviously been turned upside down. She and her friends are in need of food and accommodation. They're hungry and terrified; their mental and physical health is suffering. These funds (monthly cost of living in Debrecen ($700) x 30 students x 4 months = $84,000) would allow her and her friends 4 months of funding (until July) as they hopefully complete their degrees in Hungary and transition to more permanent homes around the world. Any funds beyond this amount can be used for their eventual travel and in case of emergencies or extended stays. Anything you can donate is helpful and will go directly to her and her classmates. I have her Ukrainian bank info and will be wiring everything donated from my account to hers because GoFundMe only works with U.S. accounts.
Please note that because of racism at the Ukrainian border, Black and Brown people are being prevented from leaving the country. They are being told, "Ukrainians Only"! Jessica and her friends were able to take a train to Hungary but are currently receiving no aid from the government. Jessica loved her 7 years in Ukraine and yet... we know this racism sadly exists everywhere.
I encourage you to SHARE!
Jessica was excited to finish her medical degree on June 23 and her life has obviously been turned upside down. She and her friends are in need of food and accommodation. They're hungry and terrified; their mental and physical health is suffering. These funds (monthly cost of living in Debrecen ($700) x 30 students x 4 months = $84,000) would allow her and her friends 4 months of funding (until July) as they hopefully complete their degrees in Hungary and transition to more permanent homes around the world. Any funds beyond this amount can be used for their eventual travel and in case of emergencies or extended stays. Anything you can donate is helpful and will go directly to her and her classmates. I have her Ukrainian bank info and will be wiring everything donated from my account to hers because GoFundMe only works with U.S. accounts.
Please note that because of racism at the Ukrainian border, Black and Brown people are being prevented from leaving the country. They are being told, "Ukrainians Only"! Jessica and her friends were able to take a train to Hungary but are currently receiving no aid from the government. Jessica loved her 7 years in Ukraine and yet... we know this racism sadly exists everywhere.
I encourage you to SHARE!
THANK YOU so much! ❤️
FYI: I sought Jessica out on IG after seeing her in the news and verified her identity through a video call.
Organizer
Hillary Bridges
Organizer
Philadelphia, PA
