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Hi, my name is Umay. I’m a 21 year old trans woman from Istanbul.
I was studying Molecular Biology and Genetics in Istanbul. Science wasn’t just a career path for me it was a way to make sense of the world, to build something meaningful, to exist with purpose. I dreamed of contributing, learning, and growing.
But being a trans woman in Turkey made life unbearably difficult. Especially within my own family, I faced constant psychological pressure. Control, threats, humiliation day after day. I slowly became invisible in my own home. I couldn’t even exist with my own name.
In 2025 at my birthday , the violence escalated beyond words. I was the target of an armed attack by my own family.
My life shattered that night. There was no time for goodbyes, no plan. Just survival.
With nothing but a backpack, I fled Istanbul.
I want to move to Berlin, find work, continue my therapy, and one day return to my education. But I can’t do this alone. This campaign is not just financial , It’s a way to ask for solidarity. Because rebuilding a life, especially after this kind of violence, takes more than strength. It takes support.
1. Health Insurance – €3,000
As a refugee, I need private health insurance to access medical services. This includes continuing my hormone replacement therapy (HRT), regular check-ups, and essential medications.
2. Relocation and Housing in Berlin – €4,000
This will cover moving costs, rental deposit, and six months of rent while I search for work and build stability in Berlin.
3. Clothing, Hygiene & Basic Needs – €3,000
Winter clothing, shoes, hygiene products, and food — the essentials to maintain a basic standard of living.
4. Electronic Devices for Education – €3,000
I had to leave my laptop and equipment behind when I fled Turkey. I need new tools like a laptop and tablet to continue my education, attend online courses, and apply for jobs.
5. Legal Fees & Administrative Costs – €2,000
This includes legal representation if needed, residence permit applications, translations, notarized documents, passport and ID processing.
6. Therapy and Mental Health Support – €2,000
To heal from trauma and navigate life after displacement, I plan to attend 20 sessions of professional therapy.
7. Emergency Fund / Safety Buffer – 3,000€
Life as a refugee is full of uncertainty. This fund would cover unexpected expenses like medical emergencies, delays in paperwork, or longer-than-expected job searches a critical safety net for surviving and healing.
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This fund is not just about surviving it’s about reclaiming my future.
Every donation, every share brings me closer to a life where I can live with safety, dignity, and hope.
Thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting.
From the bottom of my heart thank you.
— Umay Işık
Organizer
