Hi there,

My name is Shira / Shi Shi and I am raising money for my best friend, Stephen, to keep pursuing his education in fisheries.

Stephen has been a consistent source of light in my life since we became friends in 2018. Since I've known Stephen, he's always been passionate about fishing. What began as a hobby (that he would always try to get me to do with him) grew into a much bigger interest that I've been blessed to watch him dig deeper into.

As long as I have known Stephen, he's been a hard worker, but for much of that time, he was not passionate about the work he was doing. Fishing was always a hobby where he dedicated a lot of his free time but never in a more serious fashion until recently when he went back to school to study fisheries sciences. As a teacher, this has been the most beautiful thing for me to watch.

Stephen recently turned 40 and for as long as I have known him he's struggled to see himself as smart. This has always broken my heart in ways because he is one of the smartest, most self aware, and giving people I know. I want him to feel as myself and so many people in his community see him, and it is hard to watch someone internalize messaging that isn't true.

Ever since he's taken up school in fisheries sciences, this has changed. All I ever hear him talking about now is how much he loves school, his classmates, his teachers, and the work he gets to do as part of his education. This has meant the world to me because I know we all deserve this feeling.

Currently, Stephen is in a bit of a bind. His day job brick laying is not able to provide him with any work. He is already on scholarship for school, but is in danger of getting kicked out because he has been unable to cover the $3,000 of tuition until he can find work. He has taken up a part time job cleaning the fisheries to help but $3,000 is what is left to cover the rest.

As a teacher and Stephen's best friend, this is important to me to support him in chasing his dream and helping all of us live in a more sustainable way when it comes to environmental health. Raising this $3000 to support Stephen would be the best 40th birthday gift ever and would serve as a reminder to us all that chasing our dreams is always valuable, no matter what.

Thank you so much <3