Help Carlos and Family Make It to the USA

Carlos Javier Urbina Flores is a 23 year old gay man living in a poor and dangerous barrio in Managua, Nicaragua. He faces violence and persecution every day. In 2018 he was involved in the student protests against the government of dictator Daniel Ortega. Ortega responded by killing as many of the protestors as possible and closing down the university that encouraged them. Only the quick and decisive actions of a journalist on the scene saved Carlos' life. Since that time, he has been arrested, beaten, jailed, and spit on by police. As a gay man in a homophobic culture, every trip to the street is a dangerous gamble. Because of his Queerness, he has been harassed, threatened, beaten, and stabbed. Recently he has been receiving death threats. Photos of headless corpses have been sent to him, with the message, "This is what we are going to do to you." It has become clear that remaining in Nicaragua is tantamount to a death sentence and we are starting this fund to raise money to get Carlos, his mother Brenda, and his younger brother Yaliel to safety in America. At the moment the U.S. government is offering asylum to refugees fleeing persecution in Nicaragua. This requires scheduling an interview at a port of entry and then arriving at the appointed time. For Carlos and his family, a road trip through Central America is neither safe nor practical. Cartels and gangsters are attacking, killing, and kidnapping refugees on a regular basis. Because of this, we are raising money for airfare to the United States. Our goal is a minimum of $3500. This will provide both transportation costs as well as a small nest of seed money for a new start. The problems in the world so often leave us feeling helpless. We cannot change everything but we can change something. We cannot help everyone but we can help someone. And if we all help someone, maybe that's how we help everyone in the end. We are asking for donations. Are you able to share from your own resources to help a family in desperate need? If so, please consider donating. Any amount can help make a difference in the lives of three people. Thank you.