Four weeks down two to go.  Every little bit helps! Thanks to all that have donated to Jannix's scholarship.  Let's cause some Good Trouble and Not Study War No More.....

Family and Friends, We all need someone to lean on....right now Jannix needs us to lean on......

Peggy, Jerry and I want to introduce you to Jerry’s friend Jannix Joseph, whom Jerry met at the Culinary Arts Academy of Switzerland. Jannix is 26 years old, is from Trinidad and loves to cook and to sing. Jannix finished his course work last summer near the top of his class and was working as a chef at the Biltmore Estate, near Asheville North Carolina, as part of his final internship. He was earning a good wage and making regular school payments when COVID-19 struck.

Jannix was laid off during the pandemic shut down and since he wasn’t working his work permit was revoked and he was informed him that he could not stay in the US. Since he could not get a visa to return to Europe, he had to returned to his home country Trinidad.

He is now caught between a Rock and a COVID-19 Hard Place. Jannix still owes the school close to 36,000 Swiss Francs or about $38,000 USD with the exchange rate. Although the school let him finish his course work, they will not issue his diploma or certifications until he pays off his school debt.

His Catch-22 is that he cannot receive a work visa or sponsorship from an employer in Europe or the US unless he can show that he is a highly skilled worker.  He can only meet visa requirements for a highly skilled worker by showing his diploma and certifications. 

For his part, Jannie put every dollar he saved and sold most of his possessions to pay for 2/3’s of his culinary education.  He tried to arranged a loan to finance the balance but that fell through last summer.  Current economic conditions in Trinidad are poor with only a few low-wage job opportunities.

The situation that Jannix finds himself in is weighing heavily on him. Jerry heard of Jannix's struggles and committed to helping him.  Jerry and other friends have provided Jannie with a sense of hope.

This is a long story about a good kid who has hit a significant road block trying to achieve his dream.  We are committed to help Jannie fulfill his dream.  We have set up this Go Fund Me Page to see if by getting a lot of friends to give a little that we can help pay off Jannie’s school debt.  We believe that this singing chef should have the opportunity to cook and make music. The world will be a better place with him cooking and singing up a storm.

The good news is that there are restaurants in Europe interested in hiring Jannix if he can qualify for a visa and work permit.  Again, he needs his diploma and certifications to do so.

We intend to run this campaign for 6 weeks or until we reach the goal of paying off his school debt.  All funds will go directly to the Culinary Arts Academy of Switzerland to pay off or pay down his account.  We recognize that this is an ambitious goal but you never know until one tries. Peggy and I will work with Jannix to find a means to pay the remaining balance of his school debt once the Go Fund Me campaign ends in September. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this and if you are able please join us in helping Jannix. Please share this campaign with your friends, if you are comfortable doing so.  We know that Jannix appreciates your generosity.

Love Murph, Peggy and Jerry O’Brien

His own words.

I’ve have completed my studies in culinary management in Switzerland, an incomparable experience. I finished very high in my class and began my internship in America. Due to the pandemic I am now unable to pay my remaining school fees, and because of my this I cannot obtain my degree that I dreamed of and worked so hard for. I am asking for assistance from anyone who is willing and your contributions will be greatly appreciated.

PS We will change out pictures throughout the campaign.