My name is Perla Noemi Aguirre. I am 22 years old and originally from Guatemala, but today I am trying to build a new life in New York, USA.

Leaving my home country was not an easy decision. After I changed my religion, I began facing serious abuse and threats from members of my own family. What should have been a personal spiritual choice became a source of fear and danger for me.

During this difficult period, I also suffered a kidnapping, an experience that deeply affected my life and mental health. Since then, I have struggled with post-traumatic depression and panic attacks. It has taken a lot of strength and courage for me to continue moving forward and trying to rebuild my life.

In addition to this, I am also dealing with a medical condition. I have a cyst in my head, and I am currently under medical treatment. I need to undergo regular MRI scans so doctors can monitor it and make sure my health remains stable.

Because of my past experiences and current circumstances, returning to my home country is not safe for me.

Here in the United States, I am doing everything I can to rebuild my life. I work hard and try to build a peaceful life where I can feel safe, grow, and contribute positively to the community around me.

At the moment, I hold a limited residency status ID, but I have the opportunity to convert it into a normal residency status. This change would allow me to move freely, access better job opportunities, and continue building a stable and secure future here.

The total cost for this process is $4,800. Through my job and careful saving, I have managed to collect $3,000 on my own. However, the process must be completed before the end of this month, and I am currently $1,800 short.

Asking for help is not easy for me, but I truly cannot reach this goal alone in such a short time.

Any support—no matter how small—will help me secure my legal residency, continue rebuilding my life, and stay safe from the situation I escaped.

I believe deeply in kindness, respect, and living peacefully with people from all backgrounds and religions. I hope to build a future where I can work hard, heal, and give back to the community that helped me when I needed it most.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading my story and for any support you can give. Your kindness can truly change my life.