Help Clara go to college
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I'm raising these funds for Clara, who I met this summer and she is a genuinely kind, warm and responsible girl. She is the kind of person who will help change the world be a better place by her hard work, dedication and kindness. It's not everyday that we run into a truly high potential kid who can do wonders if supported by the community. She is one of those and facing financial hardship. I know we can all pull together to help her go to college. I truly appreciate any help you can provide! 100% of the donations will go to Clara’s college tuition.
Here is her story in her own words.
I came to the USA from my home country Egypt on July 2015, and my life has changed drastically ever since. A new country, a new language, a whole different perspective in life. My family unit did not survive the changes. My mother and I became victims of domestic violence. My father had abused my mother in the past, and it broke me so many times. One day, however, when my father hit me too, my mother knew the violence had to end. After extensive legal procedures, my father left us and went back to Egypt. Ever since October 2015, me, my mother and brother have been challenged by the change.
My mother worked very hard to learn English and worked paycheck to paycheck to support me and my brother. I was the first to find a job, and I had to commute by bike and public transportation for two hours because our opportunities were very limited. Even this summer, I have been working two jobs and my Mom works multiple jobs as well. Our education is the light at the end of the tunnel- the one thing that keeps us fighting as hard as we do. My first year of community college, I only took two classes since the international fees were so high. The first semester I could afford being a full-time student was a dream come true, and I became even more fond of my education and motivated to do better. Four years later I graduated from community college with two associate degrees and will transfer this fall to the University of California, Los Angeles.
I have chosen to major in physiological science at UCLA. I am fascinated by the human biology and believe there is far more than science unfolded to this day. My goal is to build better connections between diet, lifestyle and the human organ function. By better understanding that everything we do affects our systems we will treat our bodies with more awareness and compassion. I thrive to have balance between taking care of our bodies and the planet.
My path was full of distress, but I would not change a thing because it taught me how to be a better person, how to improve my work ethic and to have more empathy towards others. My experience is going to make me a compassionate doctor and I am committed to giving it my all.
For me education is a major financial challenge. My immigration status is pending which has blocked so many resources. I do not fit DACA, AB540 or citizenship criteria, therefore I was deemed ineligible for numerous financial aid and scholarship resources. I feel like a minority within a minority because most of the categories do not apply to me. I became aware of this confliction less than 3 months before the start of the semester, and that has burdened me with a lot of stress. This adversity has not stopped me from pursuing my goal and attaining higher education.
I am considered a non-resident and my tuition is 61,188$. I am grateful for your contributions and look forward to paying it forward to the community and others around me. ** update - Since we started this fund raiser, Clara has been able to get resident status and now her tuition is reduced to $35,000. Yay!
Here is her story in her own words.
I came to the USA from my home country Egypt on July 2015, and my life has changed drastically ever since. A new country, a new language, a whole different perspective in life. My family unit did not survive the changes. My mother and I became victims of domestic violence. My father had abused my mother in the past, and it broke me so many times. One day, however, when my father hit me too, my mother knew the violence had to end. After extensive legal procedures, my father left us and went back to Egypt. Ever since October 2015, me, my mother and brother have been challenged by the change.
My mother worked very hard to learn English and worked paycheck to paycheck to support me and my brother. I was the first to find a job, and I had to commute by bike and public transportation for two hours because our opportunities were very limited. Even this summer, I have been working two jobs and my Mom works multiple jobs as well. Our education is the light at the end of the tunnel- the one thing that keeps us fighting as hard as we do. My first year of community college, I only took two classes since the international fees were so high. The first semester I could afford being a full-time student was a dream come true, and I became even more fond of my education and motivated to do better. Four years later I graduated from community college with two associate degrees and will transfer this fall to the University of California, Los Angeles.
I have chosen to major in physiological science at UCLA. I am fascinated by the human biology and believe there is far more than science unfolded to this day. My goal is to build better connections between diet, lifestyle and the human organ function. By better understanding that everything we do affects our systems we will treat our bodies with more awareness and compassion. I thrive to have balance between taking care of our bodies and the planet.
My path was full of distress, but I would not change a thing because it taught me how to be a better person, how to improve my work ethic and to have more empathy towards others. My experience is going to make me a compassionate doctor and I am committed to giving it my all.
For me education is a major financial challenge. My immigration status is pending which has blocked so many resources. I do not fit DACA, AB540 or citizenship criteria, therefore I was deemed ineligible for numerous financial aid and scholarship resources. I feel like a minority within a minority because most of the categories do not apply to me. I became aware of this confliction less than 3 months before the start of the semester, and that has burdened me with a lot of stress. This adversity has not stopped me from pursuing my goal and attaining higher education.
I am considered a non-resident and my tuition is 61,188$. I am grateful for your contributions and look forward to paying it forward to the community and others around me. ** update - Since we started this fund raiser, Clara has been able to get resident status and now her tuition is reduced to $35,000. Yay!
Organizer and beneficiary
Shikha Verma
Organizer
San Ramon, CA
Clara Faragalla
Beneficiary