HELP HAMZA PAY FOR HIS FINAL YEAR TUITION

I'm Peter Bloch, a semi-retired businessman. For the last 20 years my focus has been on helping young entrepreneurs in the African agricultural sector build their businesses. My wife, Madeleine, and I went to Lesvos in 2017 to act as refugee support volunteers, and moved back to the USA at the end of last year. You can find out more about me on linkedin.

Hamza's is a remarkable story: at age 15, Hamza Matyaqubov arrived as a refugee on the island of Lesvos, speaking only Turkish. He survived living in the notorious Moria camp, learned to speak Greek and English, gained a place at the local high school, learned the basics of videography, secured his high school diploma, and was accepted at a film school in Athens! He has now completed the first and second years with “A” grades in his classes.

I have been mentoring him for the last three years and have been impressed by his self-discipline, reliability, and creativity — and, most of all, by his determination to become a documentary filmmaker to change the world for the better. I’m raising funds so Hamza can pay the tuition for his third and final year of film school. He covers all his living expenses by making freelance videos for NGOs in Athens when he is not in school.

Here is Hamza’s story, in his own words:

“Hi, I’m Hamza and I’m 21 years old. I am from Uzbekistan. I grew up in Turkey and had a happy, comfortable childhood. This was until the age of 15 when I became a refugee in Greece. I was suddenly forced to leave Turkey and travel, by boat, to Greece. The Turkish government was suppressing me and my family because we were immigrants.

Why do I need your support ?

Since my arrival in Greece, I have learned both Greek and English from scratch, obtained a high school diploma from a Greek high-school and got accepted into a top film school offering bachelor degree in Athens. However, in order to study film at university, I had to raise money to pay for tuition and basic living expenses for three years of university. I have received a big part of my tuition for the first and second year of my studies from an NGO founder which I am really grateful for that made me able to start my dream studies. Now I need to raise money for my third year tuition fee.

The journey and my arrival in Lesvos, Greece forced me to grow up overnight. Everything from saying goodbye to my family as they were going to prison, the terrifying journey by boat, the unbearable living conditions in Moria refugee camp, the language barriers (as I was the only Turkish speaking refugee and didn't know any other languages), the confusion, the fear, the loneliness – it all came as a huge shock. One of the only solace I had was in attending photography and videography classes organized by Betterdays NGO on the island. It was then that I realized how developing a skill I was deeply passionate about like videography would keep me motivated and could even spread awareness of a situation that I and so many people are forced into. I enrolled in high school and alongside that started to make short videos for NGOs, as well as more general videos highlighting the refugee situation on Lesvos. Focusing on my studies and improving my skills in videography helped to relieve some of the pressure and stress that I, to this day, feel from an asylum procedure that constantly tries to degrade and tear you down at every step.

Now I have just finished my second year with good grades. I am grateful to have received a 40% scholarship for tuition because of my portfolio of work and the director’s eagerness to have me study at the university. I am so excited to have a chance to develop my technical expertise, to use my creative thinking and gain access and learn from some of the best in the field. With this experience and qualification, I hope it will help me in my goal of becoming a professional documentary filmmaker. I believe that documentaries are one of the most powerful tools to expose injustice, stimulate discussion and debate and bring a sense of urgency to change the world around us. I hope I can use the difficulties I have experienced in life to challenge perspectives and create positive changes in the world around me, especially in the refugee context.

Access to education is a great privilege, one that if I am able to raise the money for, I will not take for granted. As someone with asylum here in Greece, I have no access to any financial support from the government. My parents are also unable to financially support me so my only way is to try my best to find the money myself. I plan on working as much as I can alongside the degree to take care of my living expenses but this will not be able to cover the tuition. I would be devastated if I can’t take up this incredible opportunity due to financial constraints. Therefore, if you are able to support me through a donation and follow me on my journey and dream of becoming a successful filmmaker, I would be immensely grateful.

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Hamza’s high school instructor:

…he was very cooperative, with a brilliant ethos and pleasant character. I believe, it is one of the cases of students that would be worth other training opportunities, which is why I strongly recommend his registration at BA film studies at NYC college or equivalent.

Deirdre MacLeod, Chair & Co-Founder, foodKIND:

(the NGO where Hamza worked last year)

I have known Hamza in a professional capacity since Nov 2022.

Hamza is a kind, compassionate and intelligent young man. When not studying, Hamza gives back to the community by volunteering at the foodKIND freemarket, providing food to vulnerable refugees. Hamza is a hard worker and dedicated to making a difference in the world.

I’m convinced that given the opportunity to complete his studies, Hamza will make a success of his life and continue to contribute to society positively.

Herbert Nebel, Board Member of Respect for Greece:

(the NGO Hamza now works for in Athens):

I have known Hamza since July 2022 due to my work on the board of the non-profit organisation "Respect for Greece e.V.". I have always known Hamza as an exceptionally professional and highly motivated volunteer. I also got to know Hamza as a politically interested, empathetic and liberal-minded person. His interest in socio-political issues is evident not only in his involvement in our organisation, but also in his determination and will to become a documentary filmmaker in order to change the world for the better. Due to his professional and personal qualifications, I very much hope that he will now be able to secure funding for his studies as he enters the home straight.