Help Me Stay in School

When I was 9 years old, my parents hired this tutor to help me with my homework. He was a well reputable man; a religious leader. He was my tutor for three years. In those three years, he molested me.

He used to carry this little whip thing. And he used to hit me with it to make sure I won’t say anything. One day, my mother saw marks on my back. She asked me what had happened; I was terrified, and I told her that I fell off a tree. I used to climb trees a lot. She believed me, and I was relived. I was way too scared to speak up and save myself.

My last year in Pakistan was also the last year he was my tutor.

I never told anyone, I was just glad that it was over and that I would just get to leave everything behind. On August 14th, on Pakistan’s Independence Day, we landed in Washington. I felt free. I remember letting out a sign of relief, being glad that ill never see that man again.

But little did I know that I’ll encounter people like him all my life. At the airport, the TSA agent pulled me aside in the guise of security check and groped me while smirking.

I was 12. I held my tongue again. And didn’t say a word to anyone

At this point it had started to feel like it was my fault that these things keep happening to me. I felt as if I was cursed. Like maybe it was something about me that incited these people to target me.

I was wrong. It was not me. It was the system that allowed these people to exercise unjust power over me. I didn’t realize this until I was talking to a really close family member after she had tried to commit suicide. I just sat with her, and she told me how she too was molested by the same tutor. I never knew this. We never told each other. It was then that I realized the importance of sharing your truth. Of speaking as loud as you can even if you are the only one, because you never know how many others are in the same boat hoping someone will speak up.

Ever since then I refused to be silenced. I decided to go to law school and eventually become a lawyer so that I can be equipped with tools and skills necessary to fight for whats right.


I want to become a lawyer so that I can speak up and use the skills I will ascertain in a way that would bring effective change. 

However, it is impossible to do so without having financial support.  I do not have that financial support. I am barely floating.

Prior to being a Law Student I was an Immigration Paralegal. I predominantly worked with Immigrant Domestic violence victims.  Providing them with legal assistance they needed in order to leave their abusive spouse and acquire immigrant visas.

I am also a writer. I write poetry, think pieces, and articles on various different topics such as feminism, colorism and the immigrant experience. I am also an English tutor. I work with immigrant students that struggle with English. And now I am a full time Law Student.

I am extremely passionate about the work that I do. And I will be able to do it more efficiently with a legal education. Because of certain issues such as my immigration status and other factors, I do not qualify for Federal Student loans, and neither do I qualify for financial aid or most scholarships. And the scholarships I have received do not even cover fraction of the cost. 

I need your help. I need your help staying in school. I somehow managed to pay for the 1st semester but I won’t be able to pay for the next without your help.

Furthermore, my immigration status is tied to me being a full time student. If I am unable to stay in school, I risk deportation.

Any donation that you make will go directly towards funding my education, and will help me avoid being deported.

If you can not donate, it is completely understandable. please share! 

Thank you for your kindness and support. 

P.S if you want to learn more I am on an F-1 visa. You can learn more about it right here https://www.internationalstudent.com/immigration/f1-student-visa/