Student in Crisis
Beschermde donatie
Hello everyone,
My name is Henry Becker and I am a college student on the brink of losing everything. In July of 2014, at the age of 15, my parents put me on a plane (from Sierra Leone) and sent me over to the states in efforts for me to build a better life for myself. Since then my life has been very unconventional. In the past 6 years, I have lived with 8 different families, in 7 states, and 9 cities. Most of the aforementioned families have been kind strangers and a few family friends. I lost my father at 17 and most of my financial and emotional support by 19. Through everything, I have been fortunate enough to get start college. This is a bit of my story.
In August of 2018, I made the leap to leave Philadelphia to move to college on my own. This time I was truly alone, I had no one, except the kindness of strangers and the hard work that had gotten me to this point in my life. As my freshman year progressed here at Drake I lost a few friends (from the many different neighborhoods I had lived in) to suicide, drug overdoses, gun violence, police brutality, and illnesses. My two years of college have been difficult in every conceivable way but somehow I’m still here. I believe that is for a reason and I do not intend to quit any time soon.
I have been able to successfully complete my freshman year here at Drake even though I could only pay for about two months of it (off the money I was able to scrounge up before moving here). Staff and faculty here at the school have been tremendous in assisting me with my current circumstances. Since I started here in 2018, I have worked every possible student job here on campus to make ends meet. I continue working at school to this day all the while trying to work on my filmmaking knowledge and raise money for the next few years of school.
As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to make movies and, as a result, I am currently a digital media production (DMP) major (the closest path to film). I possess what most might consider to be high ambitions of becoming a film director. My energy, passion, and enthusiasm towards stories are yet to run dry and I doubt they ever will. As a result, I cannot rest and I don’t plan on resting until I get to a point where I am capable and equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to tell stories that need to be heard (and doing them justice). I currently have a 3.35 GPA but sadly I am no longer able to attend school due to my very glaring financial problems. I cannot get any kind of financial aid as a result of my current pending asylum case. I cannot return to my previous living locations due to my previous hosts having moved in a different direction.
At this point in my life, I am stuck in a very unusual state of limbo, but I am still alive and still healthy. The kindness and good-hearted nature of strangers have kept me alive when nothing else could. That kindness has gotten me to college and given me a shot at my dream. I am hoping that sharing my story will help appeal to that kindness in whoever reads this, and they find it in themselves to help a very exhausted individual. Any little bit helps, even your best wishes will go a long way.
Any and all donations will go strictly towards paying my outstanding tuition and getting myself back on track with my degree. Any other remaining or extra generosities will be directed towards paying for future semesters of school, textbooks, a decent laptop, and dealing with any USCIS cost. I will be sure to keep everyone updated on my journey.
Link to the more detailed Story.pdf
My name is Henry Becker and I am a college student on the brink of losing everything. In July of 2014, at the age of 15, my parents put me on a plane (from Sierra Leone) and sent me over to the states in efforts for me to build a better life for myself. Since then my life has been very unconventional. In the past 6 years, I have lived with 8 different families, in 7 states, and 9 cities. Most of the aforementioned families have been kind strangers and a few family friends. I lost my father at 17 and most of my financial and emotional support by 19. Through everything, I have been fortunate enough to get start college. This is a bit of my story.
In August of 2018, I made the leap to leave Philadelphia to move to college on my own. This time I was truly alone, I had no one, except the kindness of strangers and the hard work that had gotten me to this point in my life. As my freshman year progressed here at Drake I lost a few friends (from the many different neighborhoods I had lived in) to suicide, drug overdoses, gun violence, police brutality, and illnesses. My two years of college have been difficult in every conceivable way but somehow I’m still here. I believe that is for a reason and I do not intend to quit any time soon.
I have been able to successfully complete my freshman year here at Drake even though I could only pay for about two months of it (off the money I was able to scrounge up before moving here). Staff and faculty here at the school have been tremendous in assisting me with my current circumstances. Since I started here in 2018, I have worked every possible student job here on campus to make ends meet. I continue working at school to this day all the while trying to work on my filmmaking knowledge and raise money for the next few years of school.
As far back as I can remember, I have always wanted to make movies and, as a result, I am currently a digital media production (DMP) major (the closest path to film). I possess what most might consider to be high ambitions of becoming a film director. My energy, passion, and enthusiasm towards stories are yet to run dry and I doubt they ever will. As a result, I cannot rest and I don’t plan on resting until I get to a point where I am capable and equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to tell stories that need to be heard (and doing them justice). I currently have a 3.35 GPA but sadly I am no longer able to attend school due to my very glaring financial problems. I cannot get any kind of financial aid as a result of my current pending asylum case. I cannot return to my previous living locations due to my previous hosts having moved in a different direction.
At this point in my life, I am stuck in a very unusual state of limbo, but I am still alive and still healthy. The kindness and good-hearted nature of strangers have kept me alive when nothing else could. That kindness has gotten me to college and given me a shot at my dream. I am hoping that sharing my story will help appeal to that kindness in whoever reads this, and they find it in themselves to help a very exhausted individual. Any little bit helps, even your best wishes will go a long way.
Any and all donations will go strictly towards paying my outstanding tuition and getting myself back on track with my degree. Any other remaining or extra generosities will be directed towards paying for future semesters of school, textbooks, a decent laptop, and dealing with any USCIS cost. I will be sure to keep everyone updated on my journey.
Link to the more detailed Story.pdf
Organisator
Henry Becker
Organisator
Des Moines, IA