Our dear friend Yanela passed away unexpectedly while traveling in Thailand. This was his very first trip outside of South Africa—a journey he was excited about and deeply grateful to experience. Tragically, he never made it home.
Yanela was a son, a brother, and a beloved friend. He was also a powerful voice in the global HIV community. As someone living openly with HIV, he dedicated years of his life to education, advocacy, and hope—working with an HIV NGO and courageously sharing his story as a motivational speaker so others would feel less alone. Through that work, he touched countless lives, including mine. Over the years, he became family to us.
His death was sudden and traumatic, and it has left his family in shock and grief. They are now facing an impossible situation: the cost of international repatriation and related expenses, which is at least $12,000. His family does not have the financial means to cover these costs on their own.
We are asking for help so that Yanela can be brought home, laid to rest with dignity, and mourned properly by the people who love him most.
Funds raised will go directly toward:
- Repatriation of his body from Thailand to South Africa
- Required documentation and international transport fees
- Funeral and immediate family support costs
Any amount—large or small—will make a real difference. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page is also a meaningful way to help.
Yanela spent his life showing up for others with honesty, compassion, and courage. We are hoping to show up for him and his family now.
Thank you for reading, for caring, and for helping us bring him home.
With gratitude,
Connor P Bondarchuk
DHHS ‘15 Dartmouth ‘19 Harvard Med ‘26
Organizer
