Urgent Help Needed – Support a New Beginning for My Family

To all who are willing,

My name is Osei Harper, and I am reaching out to you in a time of urgent need. I am a single parent and an IT professional with over 20 years of experience. In November 2022, I was laid off due to redundancy, and despite my best efforts, I have been unable to secure new employment.

In an attempt to improve my prospects, I completed both my bachelor's and master's degrees, which unfortunately resulted in accumulating more debt rather than job opportunities. I now find myself in a precarious situation, owing over $35,000 in rental arrears, $19,000 in credit defaults, and $80,000 in student loans. Despite my relentless job search, even short-term contracts have been out of reach.

Over the past year, I have applied to hundreds of positions spanning a wide range of roles within and outside of the IT field. I have attended numerous job fairs, networked extensively within industry groups and job firms (Manpower, TEKsystems, Michael Page, etc.), and leveraged platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, Dice, ZipRecruiter, Monster, and Glassdoor. I have tailored countless resumes and cover letters, attended interviews, and taken skill enhancement courses to stay current with the latest technologies. Despite these efforts, the job market remains highly competitive, and securing a position has been incredibly challenging.

I was recently offered a teaching role in China that will begin on September 1st, bringing a glimmer of hope. However, having no income since May last year has left me without the means to store my belongings or pay for essential expenses such as passports, airfare, and visa fees. The short timeline adds significant pressure to avoid missing this opportunity.

This situation has been incredibly challenging for my family. My 15-year-old child has shown remarkable resilience and understanding throughout these difficult times. We've had to adapt to these hardships, relying on the support of friends and family to get by. We have had to downsize our living situation, sell personal belongings, and make tough decisions to keep afloat. Despite these struggles, we have remained hopeful and resilient.

My son loves animals and dreams of becoming a marine biologist someday. He has had to miss out on extracurricular activities due to our financial situation, but he remains optimistic and supportive. Additionally, we have two beloved cats, Nala and Simba, who have been a source of comfort for both of us during these trying times.

I humbly ask for your support to help me take this overseas job opportunity and provide a stable future for my family. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in helping me overcome this difficult period and start anew.

We hope to achieve our full goal and avoid losing anything, but we understand that bringing the cats might seem a luxury to many, and we may have to rehome them and leave them behind. We would prefer not to but understand the reality of the situation. Again, any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Here is a breakdown of the approximate costs I am facing:

• Expedited Passports for 2: $400

• Visa Fees for 2: $300

• Background Check: $50

• Apostille Credential Validation: $50

• International Packing and Shipping: $2,500

• Packing Materials: $300

• Airfare for 2: $2,000

• Pet Veterinarian Costs for 2 Cats: $600

• Pet Transport and Quarantine Costs for 2 Cats: $2,000

• Discretionary Fund for Unexpected Costs (taxis, etc.): $1,000

Total: $9,200

Total without the Cats: $6800

We thank you all for your attention, kindness, and generosity. We appreciate all assistance, even if it is just a prayer. We love you regardless of whether you can help or not.

Sincerely,

Osei Harper