Provide Dany with support

Please consider reading the following post and donating to Dany. For us that have inherently been given the freedoms we have this may seem trivial or insignificant, however, when this happens to someone you care about, it becomes personal. Dany's story is just one of many who face challenge after challenge in seeking a better future for himself and his family. I do not take lightly the blessings that I have which enable me to get loans for school, buy a house, work freely, and/or marry who I want when I want. Dany is not just an immigrant friend of mine. He is smart, hardworking, capable, hilarious, and generous.  Dany teaches me how to see the world through a bigger lens of compassion, through his experiences and values, and I pray that my future children get to experience many "Danys" who challenge and broaden their experience of the world and grow them to their potential. Please read Dany's words and help him to continue to change future generations. 


Hello, my name is Danilson (Dany) Luque. I am from Colombia and currently studying a degree in software development in Denver, CO.  I came to the United States to advance opportunities for my family and future family. This endeavor has been filled with many new exciting blessings and many obstacles. Even in the difficulty, I refuse to give up on a dream for a better future, therefore I need your help.  Here is a little about my story:

I moved from Colombia to the US three years ago....

I had already completed my degree in Computer Engineering with the hope of pursuing a master’s degree in the US. However, once in the States, reality hit. Without much social capital, I realized how expensive a Master’s Degree is and did not know how to transfer my credits from Colombia to the US. Therefore, I decided to humble myself and go back to school to pursue an Associate’s Degree in Software Development with the hope of eventually transitioning into a Master’s Degree and find work in my field of study upon completion. 

The problem with studying here as a foreigner is that I am required to pay out-of-state tuition, which is three times more than those that have residency in Colorado. As a foreigner on a student visa I am still unable to take out loans with reputable banks and am only allowed to work on campus, if jobs are available. Job positions on campus are very limited usually only offering up to 20 hours a week. I am not allowed to set up payment plans for my education. I am required to pay the full semester’s tuition before semester start which then forces me to take out loans with 20-30% interest rates. I must be a full-time student to meet my visa requirements.  Scholarships are not readily available for students of F1 visas at community colleges. If I fail to meet all of these requirements then I am sent back to Colombia immediately.

I have been working as much as I can to survive within my requirements. My day starts early and includes:  dropping my mom at work, working all morning, classes all afternoon, working at my local church, and small jobs late into the night to survive.

I have become completely maxed out. There is not an extra hour where I could be working to afford living costs or pay back my personal loan for tuition. With all of my hard work of this semester and saving wisely, I have only covered half of my last semester tuition.  I am not lazy, but working tirelessly in a system that makes it extremely difficult to succeed. However, I am realizing that I cannot do this on my own I desperately need the support of my community to here with the potential to change my future.

Lastly, I am eligible for residency here in the US through my mom, however I cannot begin that process due my lack of financial resources. To become a Resident of the United States would change my life massively.  I would be able to take loans, study without paying out of State Tuition, participate in the work force, and be eligible for scholarships.  I have completed my forms for residency however the costs associated with filing those forms are beyond what I can afford. 

As a Latino it is important for me to obtain my residency not for myself, but also my family. I am currently unable to do such a thing. Dear friends, I can assure you I have given my absolutely very best in order to succeed, but I realize that unless I ask for help I will be unable to do so and my future destiny will be strongly affected by how tied my hands currently are, however, I remain hopeful for a chance to succeed.

I am a person who absolutely loves serving, working hard for others, helping, supporting, but I have never asked others to help.  Today, I realized how much I need the help of all those who I consider my family in Christ, and that have truly been my family since I arrived at this country. I need you…

Would you thoughtfully consider donating to help me achieve my goal?  Could you even donate just $10.00? If you feel comfortable please consider donating through venmo, as the fees associated with donating are none.  However, If you prefer to donate via go fund me please do not hesitate to do so. 

All Proceeds will be given directly to Dany for school expenses and residency costs. If you have questions or concerns Dany would love to meet with you in person or via phone to discuss. 

Venmo Account: @Danilson-Luque

THANK YOU for reading a part of my story with compassion.  It has not been easy to write these words and much worse to make them so public however, I am truly thankful to you for taking the time to read this, process it, and donate. 

I am SO FORTUNATE for all of you in my life!
 
Blessings,

Dany