Help Leo come back from San Vicente (Ecuador) safe

Dear friends, kind strangers, and compassionate souls,

Who I am:

My name is Leo (also known as Julian). I’m a 26-year-old chef student, originally from Ecuador and currently living in Berlin. Today, I want to share my story with you — a story of survival, transformation, and a deep passion for food — in the hope that you can help me take the next step toward a brighter future.

My Story:

Six years ago, I moved to Germany by myself. I was a young gay man of color looking for safety, education, and the freedom to be myself. The journey hasn’t been easy. I’ve faced deep struggles with addiction, identity, and emotional isolation. But after hitting rock bottom, I found the courage to begin again.

Over the past year, I’ve been clean and fully committed to rebuilding my life. I’ve worked hard on my healing — attending regular psychological therapy, both individually and in groups — and I’ve reconnected with the one passion that has always given me strength: cooking. Food has always been my safe place. Now it’s also my purpose.

Unfortunately, my culinary training in Berlin was marked by over a year of racist and homophobic mistreatment at a hotel where I worked. I felt unsupported, unsafe, and completely disheartened. So, I made a bold decision: to return to Ecuador for one semester and study at a unique culinary school on the coast that specializes in ancient Ecuadorian food.

What I want to achieve:

My dream is to become a professional chef, dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich culinary traditions of Ecuador. I want to study ancestral recipes, learn ancient cooking techniques, and one day combine them with international gastronomy — bringing the beauty of Latin American cuisine into the heart of Berlin and beyond.

Being back here isn’t without risks. As a queer person, life in Ecuador — especially in public spaces — remains unsafe. But I grew up here. I know this land, and I believe that reconnecting with my roots is essential to growing into the chef and human being I want to be.

Why I need your help:

This decision came with a cost, emotionally and financially. I couldn't save money for my trip as I had to pay big house bills in Berlin after I made the decision to fly over there. I also can’t work while attending school full-time, and I’m now asking for your support to help cover the basic costs of this important chapter of my life.

Your support would help me focus fully on my studies, my health, and my healing. It would allow me to pursue the path I’ve worked so hard to reclaim and give me the tools to return to Berlin with knowledge, pride, and the ability to share my culture through food.

Where the money goes to:

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking the time to read my story and for believing in me.

With love and gratitude,

Leo

UPDATE:

Thanks to all the donations I have made it safe and sound to San Vicente, a small fisher town in the province of Manabi in the Pacific Coast of Ecuador. I was able to pay all my school fees and transport here yet the journey is not over yet. 

The school is amazing! I am mega exiting to share all my knowledge and experiences with my friends back home. All the ancient knowledge that is being shared with me everyday is priceless. I am learning so much from cooking recipes, techniques and technological advances our ancestors did 12.000 years ago and are STILL used in this culture, the Manabi Culture. 

Sadly San Vicente is still a poor city and with that i mean there is scarce clean water meaning that water has to travel in big tanks from big cities from the south (107km away from here) and sold here to the local people. Hygiene is another problem, unfortunately i was accommodated in a room outside the city centre  where cockroaches and bedbugs has taken over and made a home for themselves  I was forced to leave the room and get a cheap hostel with only the basic needs.

All of this has been an unexpected twist and a change of budget which lead me to ask for your help once again. 

Every donation — no matter the size — makes a difference. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this campaign with others would mean the world to me.