Support for a UPEI Student in Urgent Need

Dear Reader,

I am writing this campaign on behalf of a friend. They are a fourth-year international student at the University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) who is currently unable to complete their studies after being abruptly cut off by their family over their sexuality.

While I must keep their identity anonymous for privacy and safety reasons, I believe their story deserves your attention and support. As you may know, homophobia is still rampant in many parts of the world, with some countries imposing harsh punishments and even the death penalty. Being part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is still viewed unfavorably. It is quite extreme that even allegations get people and their families killed. Sadly for my friend, they come from a country that has strong anti-LGBTQ beliefs.

My friend is seeking financial assistance in paying their outstanding tuition to return to school and complete the last semester of their degree. When their parents found out about their same-sex attraction, the family shared the news with other family members and threatened my friend never to return home. They also cut my friend off by revoking their financial support, which included tuition. The impact of this cut-off is that they are unable to complete their studies in Canada, which would lead to them returning home to very unsafe conditions in their home country.

My friend is currently thousands of dollars in unexpected debt with no home to return to and no familial support system. They have been fighting a losing battle to keep afloat. So far, they have contacted multiple organizations nationwide for support without much success. Unfortunately, they are still confronted with the reality that financial barriers could hinder their ability to complete their final semester to earn their degree. Despite their predicament, they remain resilient and committed to their education.

Since reaching out, UPEI has given my friend more time to pay their outstanding balance. While I hope they are able to gather enough support in time to register for their courses, I am grateful for any assistance shown to them. Any financial support received will go towards paying their outstanding balance and helping them complete their degree, ultimately putting them in a better position to create a meaningful future for themselves.

Thank you for taking the time to read this campaign. You can donate directly or share this GoFundMe to show your support.

Kind Regards,

A Good Friend