Hi Everyone,

As many of you may know, for the past 4+ years I have been living in Switzerland and in the last year navigating a challenging situation that is making it difficult & complex for me to return home to Ireland. It has been a strange and sometimes difficult period of contrasts: living in one of the most stunning places on earth, yet facing hurdles that would never have crossed my mind before moving here.

I have decided to launch a crowdfunding campaign to help support me with some recent significant professional fees which have been required to engage with certain matters here, and which are ongoing. The suggested contribution is €10 or 10CHF, and if you wish to contribute more or less, that is also welcome, and the gesture alone means a lot. Contributions can be made anonymously if you prefer.

When the situation here is resolved I will produce a piece of writing reflecting in a very broad way on my time in Switzerland, and in return for your contribution you will receive, if you wish, an e-copy of the piece of writing (exact format to be determined). It aims to tell a story many in the Irish diaspora will recognise: the positives of life here in the beautiful Alps, the sometimes amusing quirks and cultural differences, but also the pull of home, the weight of distance, and the challenges of navigating systems that are perhaps not easy for international families.

Funds will go towards the aforementioned professional fees which are being incurred, as well as assisting with the production of the piece of writing, and supporting my eventual return home, whenever that may be. Also, a portion of proceeds from the piece, once released, will be donated on an ongoing basis to organisations that support families facing complex relocations and cross-border challenges, particularly those who find themselves stuck abroad longer than expected.

Thank you sincerely for reading this, and for any support, whether financial or simply through kind words. It makes a real difference.

Regards,

Ken Cowley