Help Semyon Skripchenko with education and life

My name is Semyon Skripchenko, and I am days away from beginning my first year of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Innovation program at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. My family and I have experienced many hardships together including nationalism, persecution, violence and war and, August 8th, 2022, we suffered a devastating blow: My dad died suddenly and unexpectedly at the young age of 57. My father’s death has been a incredible loss for our family. The education and future, for which I and my family have worked so hard, are now at risk. Please take a moment to read my story, share it with others, and help if you are able. I was born in Moscow, Russia. My family’s beliefs and stance on the country’s political situation have always been vastly different from those of most of our fellow Russians who were reeled in by the overwhelming saturation of propaganda. As a result, my family endured many years of constant hate and bullying. In an effort to provide me with opportunities, peace, and freedoms that I could never experience in Russia, my father made it possible for me to enroll at Ridley College in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada, beginning in grade 10. While attending Ridley, I excelled in various spheres of computer science, physics, and math, and took every opportunity I could to learn, grow, and show my gratitude and pride by contributing to our community. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic began and, like many other international students, I was not able to return to Russia to see my family. As the pandemic dragged on, the window of opportunity for reuniting with my family closed even further: When I turned 18, I would become eligible for mandatory military service should I return to Russia. My parents always promised to visit me in Canada as soon as it became possible but then, in February 2022, Putin’s pointless and coldblooded attack on Ukraine further widened the gap between us and prevented my parents and me from seeing each other. Our family does not support this act of war: We, ourselves, have a Ukrainian last name, which further fed the many years of abuse that our family endured. The invasion of Ukraine led to the ban of Russian banks in the Swift Banking System, making it impossible for my family to financially provide for me at school in Canada, and also preventing them from leaving Russia. Then on August 8th, 2022, my dad died suddenly and unexpectedly. He was the sole financial provider for our family. My mom is unable to carry on my father’s business, and all the efforts our family put into leaving Russia forever are crumbling away. The goals I have worked toward are slipping out of reach. The past three years spent without my family could all be in vain. I am writing this as a scream for help. As a temporary resident of Canada, under certain circumstances, I could be forced to leave the country, return to Russia, and risk my life to fight in a war that I do not support. I have aspirations and dreams of attending university in Canada and of becoming an engineer. I have devoted my life to making those dreams a reality. With your help, I know that I can make a difference in this world, and accomplish more than my father even imagined. Please consider helping me with a donation toward my education and living expenses. With immense and profound gratitude, Semyon Skripchenko