Help Ayyasy finish his degree and start treatment

My name is Ahmad Ayyasy Ridho and I am 20 years old. Although I’m a university student from Indonesia, I live in Istanbul and have been doing volunteer work and working in addition to my studies. Currently, I am active as a volunteer fundraising coordinator at Istanbul&I, an NGO which focuses on helping and supporting the well-being of refugees. Some of you may know me and my story – and to all that have helped me to stand back up again and stood with me in my times of need, thank you. Unfortunately, this past year has been one of the hardest of my life and although it’s difficult for me to do, I need to ask you for help once again.

 

This year, my aunt passed away during the pandemic. I was disowned at 14 by my parents for being gay and subsequently left my home to live with my paternal aunt. She was my rock, my emotional support, my chosen family. It has been incredibly difficult to make ends meet since her passing but especially with everything that is happening to me right now, it is proving to be impossible.

 

My university has decided to increase tuition fees by 20% and I still have one year left on my degree. On top of this, they are also not allowing me to pay tuition monthly anymore. I am required to pay semester fees in full, up front. In addition to all of this, I have recently been diagnosed with a chronic and incurable disease – a disease which is fatal without undergoing a constant regime of very expensive monthly treatments. I need to start this treatment immediately.

 

I need to ask you for help once again. If I fall down this time, I don’t know how easily I will be able to get back onto my feet. Even though I am a volunteer fundraising coordinator, I now find myself at the receiving end.

 

Please give a little – I will use these funds to afford my medical treatments, finish the final year of my education, and take one more step towards my goals. Thank you for getting to know me. If you donate, thank you for your love and your trust in me. Lastly, thank you for reading my story.

 

 

 

My childhood traumas: being abandoned by my family

 

Growing up in Indonesia as a gay man was challenging. I faced immense bullying at school, which led to a huge decrease in my self-worth and confidence. On top of that at the age of 12, I was abused by an authority figure, which led to being disowned by my family and my community. They disowned me because of my sexual orientation as well as their refusal to deal with the consequences of my abuse. I felt disappointed and hopeless knowing that even my mom who brought me into this world was not there for me; I was suicidal to the point that I was hospitalized several times for attempts to take my own life. That was the time where my paternal aunt came into my life and saved me with her love and support.

 

With her emotional and financial support, I was able to regain my strength and plan for my future. I came to Turkey with her to continue my education and study psychology. My aunt’s life-changing influence on my life made me feel motivated to empower people to feel confident enough in who they are and realize their own strength, the same way she did for me... Now, being of service to others in the LGBTQ+ community who have faced similar struggles to me, especially refugees, is my greatest dream.

 

 

 

Recent developments and the passing of my Aunt

 

During the pandemic, I lost my aunt who was my main source of financial support. Not only did I not have time to grieve properly, I also started to struggle to pay my essential costs, including accommodation and food. As my financial, mental, and physical health was worsening, my friend Sarah helped me by creating a GoFundMe page to raise money for my needs. With all of my friends and donors' help, I was able to collect $3,690 out of a $7,500 target goal (https://www.gofundme.com/f/supportayyashpsychologydegree). This helped me immensely, as I was able to continue my third year of psychology studies and find proper accommodation. I was beyond grateful for the support I received and I am forever thankful to everyone who helped me get my life back on track.

 

Afterwards, I began to search for ways to make my own money. It has been extremely difficult, if not nearly impossible for me to find a job to support myself, since I am not a Turkish citizen and my legal status here is dependent on me having a student permit. Switching to a work permit would get in the way of my ability to go to school. Plus, I face racism in Turkey due to being Indonesian, making it less likely for Turkish employers to hire me. Right now, all my income comes from the little money I make renting out my aunt’s house in Indonesia she left to me after her death. I also do side jobs, such as cat sitting, but together these two sources of income allow me to barely afford my food and accommodation. I recently started renting out the small room I rent and sleeping on my friend’s couches in order to have enough money to survive.

 

 

 

My goals and giving back

 

This is my last year of school, and I am working so hard to ensure I can complete my degree, graduate, and achieve my goal of becoming a psychologist. This degree is what I need to find legal, full-time work and sustain myself going forward. I am a motivated, hardworking individual with dreams of using my skills and passion to help vulnerable people who have faced similar struggles to me. Your support in allowing me to finish my degree will allow me to do that.

 

Unfortunately, due to the recent decline in my health, I find that I am struggling to pay for my basic needs everyday. What is most important to me is that I focus on my medical treatment, continue my studies, and make sure that I graduate.

 

I have created a budget with details of what I need to continue pursuing my education. All the money I make will go toward my school and medical treatment, as I will continue to cover the costs of my accommodation and food as best I can.