Support for a Dream: Help an International Student

When I was just three years old and my sister was one, my parents separated. My mom had been involved with someone else, and when the truth came out, it was too late. She had already moved on and had a five-year-old daughter from the previous relationship before my dad. It shattered my family. My parents divorced, and she took everything with her—my dad's house, even our precious first birthday gifts. In the aftermath, my grandparents stepped in to care for my sister and me. My dad, though he loved us, was always busy with work and rarely came home. By the time I was in elementary school, my dad had opened a restaurant. It was his dream, but one day it burned down, and he lost everything. The financial strain was too much for him, and he left us... During those tough years, it was my grandparents who carried the weight of our family. They worked tirelessly every single day to provide for us, to make sure we had food on the table and clothes to wear. I saw their sacrifice, and it motivated me to work hard in soccer, my passion. Through determination, I earned an opportunity to go to the United States and play soccer at a community college. After two years, I transferred to Oregon State University, continuing to chase my dreams. But as an international student, I'm facing challenges. I’m unable to work due to visa restrictions, and though my grandparents supported me for as long as they could, my grandpa recently received devastating news. He has been diagnosed with cancer and are now undergoing treatment. Their financial resources are drained, and I find myself in a position where I don’t know how to manage without them. My heart is heavy with worry, not just for their health but for the uncertainty of my future here. I’m humbly asking for any help you can offer. Any support would mean the world to me as I try to navigate this difficult time. I know that with your help, I can keep going, honor my grandparents' sacrifices, and continue striving for my dreams. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.