I'm fundraising for my amazing friend Nurain Oladeji, who is starting a graduate degree in poetry at Virginia Tech this fall. I met Nurain in college. He was a junior when I was a freshman. We met at a poetry club he and some friends started. He has been a pillar in the Nigerian literary community since college. In the time that has passed between college and now, Nurain has worked as a farmer, editor, and writer. He and his wife also welcomed their son.

He is the author of "Home is a Heart that Flees," a poetry chapbook included in Kumi: New Generation New-Generation African Poets, A Chapbook Box Set" published by the African Poetry Book Fund. Last year, Nurain was offered admission into the poetry MFA program at Virginia Tech but couldn't start his program because he and his family were refused visas into the United States.

However, his visa was approved this month. He will be starting his program in Virginia this fall but needs help to relocate from Nigeria to the U.S. He needs help with a flight ticket, first month's rent and security deposit, groceries, and some money for his wife and child until he receives his first stipend.

Any donation helps and is appreciated. Please share with your friends and community. Thank you.