Stand by Jennifer Machado
Donation protected
Hello! My name is Jennifer Machado and I have created this GoFundme account as I will be forced to return to Venezuela in October 19th and if I don't resolve my financial situation I will not have the chance to come back. I have been studying in Canada for 12 months to obtain my diploma in Massage Therapy so I can serve my life purpose of helping people. I was a medical doctor in Venezuela and came to Canada on a student visa in September of 2016, so that I could start a new life in a safer country with more opportunities, however, since I am not a resident of Canada, I cannot obtain a bank loan, and my application for a new passport is STILL pending, 11 MONTHS after my application due to the crisis in Venezuela. This has put my student visa at great risk as I am still awaiting my new passport from the Venezuelan Government. I have applied for several opportunities to have my Student Visa extended because I do not have a passport other than my expired one, costing me much more than expected… And now, I am in a foreign country, with a difficult financial situation as I am a full-time student with no where else to turn to. My students fees are $22000, I asked for a scholarship and the school gave me $4400 which helped a lot, although I still need to pay the rest of my student expenses, I got a personal loan; furthermore I am working 16 hours at the school for the rest of my expenses which is barely enough to pay for housing and groceries. On top of, when I graduate I have to spend about $2500 to pay for my registration examination, insurance liability, and for a new visa to be able to acquire experience working in the field I had graduated plus my permit to work.
My Problem
Venezuela is in such chaos; a civil war where human rights are not recognized, leaving people who left the country like myself and their passports in limbo. The government left us without a valid international identity. I cannot do anything while I wait and continue to wait for my passport. My Canadian visa permit expired with the expiration of my Venezuelan passport. Ever since, I have gone to the embassy several times, which still does not have my passport yet (after 11 months). I have inverted all that I have into doing this. I am financially, emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted and do not know what else to do right now but to put my pride away and ask for help.
My Story
After 9 years of University, I obtained my degree in Doctor of Medicine with a specialization in Physical Rehabilitation.
Venezuela’s chaotic economy made myself and many other highly qualified professionals very poor, exhausted and wondering if we made the right decision to spend so much in education only to make a salary of $150 a month. I felt like I was trying to survive, whereas in other countries you are trying to succeed. That is why I took the decision to come to Canada, even though I knew in order to practice the career I have chosen, Medicine, would be a very long and expensive process, just to validate my education.
With all the problems in Venezuela, I was not able to eat a nutritious diet, live in peace, or feel safe. The citizens were becoming more & more aggressive, violent and unhappy. No one has dreams anymore because sadness and misery have taken over as our reality.
That is why I knew I had to leave Venezuela and start a new life elsewhere to reach my fullest potential, even if it meant not having my family, my dear mother, my friends, my loved ones close by. Even if it meant starting a new career… I left behind all, like I know many of you had, to come to Canada and start a new life.
I decided to study Massage Therapy to obtain a College Diploma and become a Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario. I have been attending school for the past 12 months, and I am glad to say I have fallen in love with my new career to-be.
Being an immigrant has been the hardest thing I have ever done, but it has taught me life lessons that I am so grateful for. I got to see and experience the most beautiful things we share as humans. It makes me realize the concept of universality. After all, all human beings, all over the world, are able to recognize in others the same feelings: fright, love, sadness, anger, happiness and the need of realization and most important, have a motivation in life, whenever our physiological needs have been taking care of.
I am so thankful to have found a great group of people in Canada, my roommates, friends, classmates, teachers, employer… They all have accepted me with all my differences, being from a very distinctive culture, with a warm and sometimes loud personality. It is difficult to say in words how grateful I am to be part of a kind, peaceful and loving part of the world. I would be very grateful if you could help me stay here and accomplish my dreams. Gratitude is one of the most powerful feelings and I know is difficult to ask for help when you know so many need it. I will get my dreams come true not only to be a greater me, but to help others with my knowledge and experiences to overcome illness.
My Life Purpose
I was only 17 years old when I decided I wanted to be a doctor. My purpose in life has always been clear to me. I am a helper and a healer. I am here to help others overcome sickness, and bring awareness into their life. When I was deciding what type of doctor I wanted to be, I said to myself “the kind that not only treats people but gives an example of how to be healthy”.
With this initiative, I appreciate any donations that you can contribute to my cause. I believe I have always helped people out because we all deserve to be supported in life. I do as everyone else whose is pursuing a higher goal and deserve the same. Thank you so much for reading.
My Problem
Venezuela is in such chaos; a civil war where human rights are not recognized, leaving people who left the country like myself and their passports in limbo. The government left us without a valid international identity. I cannot do anything while I wait and continue to wait for my passport. My Canadian visa permit expired with the expiration of my Venezuelan passport. Ever since, I have gone to the embassy several times, which still does not have my passport yet (after 11 months). I have inverted all that I have into doing this. I am financially, emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted and do not know what else to do right now but to put my pride away and ask for help.
My Story
After 9 years of University, I obtained my degree in Doctor of Medicine with a specialization in Physical Rehabilitation.
Venezuela’s chaotic economy made myself and many other highly qualified professionals very poor, exhausted and wondering if we made the right decision to spend so much in education only to make a salary of $150 a month. I felt like I was trying to survive, whereas in other countries you are trying to succeed. That is why I took the decision to come to Canada, even though I knew in order to practice the career I have chosen, Medicine, would be a very long and expensive process, just to validate my education.
With all the problems in Venezuela, I was not able to eat a nutritious diet, live in peace, or feel safe. The citizens were becoming more & more aggressive, violent and unhappy. No one has dreams anymore because sadness and misery have taken over as our reality.
That is why I knew I had to leave Venezuela and start a new life elsewhere to reach my fullest potential, even if it meant not having my family, my dear mother, my friends, my loved ones close by. Even if it meant starting a new career… I left behind all, like I know many of you had, to come to Canada and start a new life.
I decided to study Massage Therapy to obtain a College Diploma and become a Registered Massage Therapist in Ontario. I have been attending school for the past 12 months, and I am glad to say I have fallen in love with my new career to-be.
Being an immigrant has been the hardest thing I have ever done, but it has taught me life lessons that I am so grateful for. I got to see and experience the most beautiful things we share as humans. It makes me realize the concept of universality. After all, all human beings, all over the world, are able to recognize in others the same feelings: fright, love, sadness, anger, happiness and the need of realization and most important, have a motivation in life, whenever our physiological needs have been taking care of.
I am so thankful to have found a great group of people in Canada, my roommates, friends, classmates, teachers, employer… They all have accepted me with all my differences, being from a very distinctive culture, with a warm and sometimes loud personality. It is difficult to say in words how grateful I am to be part of a kind, peaceful and loving part of the world. I would be very grateful if you could help me stay here and accomplish my dreams. Gratitude is one of the most powerful feelings and I know is difficult to ask for help when you know so many need it. I will get my dreams come true not only to be a greater me, but to help others with my knowledge and experiences to overcome illness.
My Life Purpose
I was only 17 years old when I decided I wanted to be a doctor. My purpose in life has always been clear to me. I am a helper and a healer. I am here to help others overcome sickness, and bring awareness into their life. When I was deciding what type of doctor I wanted to be, I said to myself “the kind that not only treats people but gives an example of how to be healthy”.
With this initiative, I appreciate any donations that you can contribute to my cause. I believe I have always helped people out because we all deserve to be supported in life. I do as everyone else whose is pursuing a higher goal and deserve the same. Thank you so much for reading.
Organizer
Jennifer Nathalie Machado
Organizer
Nepean, ON
