Help Me Turn My Voice Into a Career That Inspires Change

Tonua R Burgess is organizing this fundraiser.

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A Story of Resilience, Transformation, and New Beginnings

Hello beautiful people! My name is Tonua Rena and for years, my life has been a journey of overcoming challenges, navigating setbacks, and finding the strength to begin anew. As a single parent raising three amazing children, I’ve faced the invisible struggles of a life-altering disability, endured eight surgeries, and worked through mental health challenges that reshaped the way I see the world. These experiences brought me to the brink but also ignited a fire in me—a passion to rebuild my life through creativity and connection.

During my healing, I discovered my voice—not just figuratively, but literally. I taught myself how to edit, produce, and host a podcast that has carried my words of hope, comfort, and authenticity to over 20 countries. This experience unlocked my creative spirit, leading me to write and perform spoken word poetry, create a blog, and collaborate with artists, podcasters, and producers worldwide. Now, I’m ready to take the next step—to build a career in voice-over that blends my passion for creation with my deep desire to uplift and connect with others.

Why Voice-Over?

My voice has often been described as soft, calming, and meditative—a source of love, light, and comfort. In a world craving authenticity, I want to represent a “real voice” in voice acting. People are tired of facades; they want messages that feel genuine and meaningful. Through voice-over, I want to be a voice for change, a voice that reminds people they matter.

My Vision: Verbal VOasis

Verbal VOasis is more than a business; it’s a mission. My goal is to provide an auditory experience that soothes, inspires, and elevates. Imagine an oasis for the soul—authentic, professional, and impactful voice-over artistry that creates a connection beyond sound. With Verbal VOasis, I want to deliver quality voice-over work while building a legacy of service, creativity, and care.

What I Need

To turn this dream into reality, I need your help. Starting a voice-over career requires significant investment in training, equipment, and business essentials. Despite my 25 years of service to my community in social services, being out of work for six years has made it challenging to fund this journey on my own. That’s why I’m asking for your support.

Here’s how your donations will help:

Coaching and Training: To develop and refine my voice-over skills.
Professional Equipment: Quality microphones, soundproofing, and editing tools to set up a DIY home studio.
Professional Demo Creation: To showcase my voice to potential clients and casting directors.
Audition Subscriptions: To access voice-over opportunities and grow my career.
LLC Registration/Trademark: To launch my business officially.

How You Can Help

Every contribution, no matter the size, brings me closer to this dream. If I’ve ever served you or inspired you through my words, actions, or creative work, I’m humbly asking you to pour back into me as I embark on this new journey.

Why Your Support Matters

This isn’t just about funding a career; it’s about giving someone a chance to thrive after years of struggle. It’s about helping a mother, a creator, and a community servant find her place in the world again—doing work that fulfills her soul while taking care of her family.

Your support will not only help me succeed but will also allow me to continue creating content that uplifts, inspires, and connects. Together, we can show the world the power of authenticity, creativity, and resilience.

Join Me

If you’re ready to help me bring this vision to life, please donate and/or share my campaign with your network. Let’s create something beautiful together—a voice for good, a voice for change, and a voice that makes a difference.

Thank you in advance for your love and support.

"Be Good. Be Safe. And Stay Healthy."

Those who may not know me, and would like to check my social media footprint, I humbly invite you to listen to the first episode of my podcast, Momba Raw and Unfiltered, "Let Me (re)Introduce Myself" It is currently available on all of your favorite streaming platforms. Check out the link in your free time and get an idea of who I am as a HUEman being. Bless you. Momba Raw and Unfiltered Podcast

Once again, I cannot not thank all of you who have been on this creative journey with me for the past 2 years (coming up on 3!!!) enough. It was this "social network" we have built and cultivated together that has been more than instrumental in my growth as a creator and a light. You know who you are, I don't want to miss anyone, but "you know the vibes!"