Hello my name is Maya Chawla (she/her), and I am a trans Indian woman living in the UK.

I’m reaching out because my situation is DIRE, and I am desperately in need of URGENT funds and support immediately, so please share this crowdfunder, and reach out if you have support you can provide, such as food, medical supplies, or legal support.

In 2020 I arrived in the UK, escaping a home in India that did not accept me, and endangered me; as I feared living on the streets or becoming violently exploited if I’d stayed.

My life has become incredibly difficult since my arrival; the UK government has taken away my passport and papers and it has been at least a year since I have heard from them properly (they don’t answer my emails pleading to just return my papers, and also won’t allow me to finish applying for a visa), and as such I am unable to claim benefits, support, or work, and I cannot afford to pay my rent, and am barely able to afford food. I am currently surviving on handouts and charity.

I was offered a marriage at the start of living here, by a so-called friend, to secure my status in the UK and help me find my feet - this person is a british national and financially stable, so I thought this would help me - but this friend not only abandoned me and mentally abused me, but also refuses to pay for a divorce to free me (which I cannot afford), which is causing me massive stress, shame and mental pain, on top of everything else I am already suffering.

I have also recently become injured, as I am struggling to stand upright and preserve my sanity, due to a lack of food, care and also because of the intensity of the transphobia and misogyny I have faced recently trying to travel in the area I live in. I am unable to get health support from the NHS, and am struggling to leave the house as the injury is of my knees, which aren’t healing properly.

I want to raise money for gender affirming care too, so that I can live as myself, and that is also a part of this fundraiser, but i can barely even begin that without being able to survive.

Please. If you have any care in your heart, and any want to actually take part in real mutual aid, social justice, or liberation of this toxic society we live in, then donate and share so that I can raise enough money to cover my rent, buy basic necessities and food, and pay for my divorce to free me from the fake marriage I became trapped in.

I just want my autonomy, my dignity, and a life I have control over.

x