Help Jose recover after a devastating theft while touring

Hi everyone,

I'm starting this GoFundMe on behalf of my dear friend Jose, who experienced something truly heartbreaking and unfair. While traveling from Holland to Belgium to give a guitar clinic tomorrow at a music shop — something he was really looking forward to — he was robbed of everything he owns in just a matter of 60 seconds.

Jose has been working incredibly hard the last few weeks, playing shows and making a living through his music. He poured everything into this journey — his time, passion, and earnings — only for it to be stolen in an instant.

While switching trains, the carriage was packed, so he had to place his guitar and backpack in the overhead rack, just above his seat. After sitting down and reaching for his phone charger, he looked up… and his backpack was gone. No one nearby noticed anything, but one passenger later told the conductors he saw someone grab the bag and jump into a different train on the opposite platform.

Inside the stolen backpack were:

All of Jose’s earnings from the past weeks of shows

His laptop, guitar pedals, and essential music gear

His passport, driver's license, bank cards, ID card, and greencard/US residence card

Important documents and personal belongings that can’t be replaced

The train staff did their best to help and advised Jose to go straight to the police to file a report. But as many of you know, recovering stolen items in these situations is extremely difficult, and time is not on his side. He has nothing left on him — not even access to his own money or ID.

The worst part is that the thief likely took the cash and may have tossed the rest. They’ll never understand how much these things meant to Jose — not just in value, but in effort, in memories, in trust.

We can’t undo what happened, but we can help Jose get back on his feet. He doesn’t deserve this — no one does — especially someone who gives so much through his music and has worked so hard just to make a living doing what he loves.

If you’re able to donate anything — even the smallest amount — it would mean the world. Let’s show Jose that we care. Let’s help him replace what he’s lost and ease the burden of starting over. And if you can’t give, sharing this campaign is just as powerful.

Thank you so much for reading and for your support.

With love and gratitude,

Jacky