Columbia University Bound

My name is Oscar Caballero. I was born in the capitol of Nicaragua - Managua, and spent my childhood in Masaya. My mother’s family owned and operated Hotel Masaya, where many members of my family worked.  I attended a Catholic school, Colegio Nuestra Señora del Pilar, through high school.  When I graduated, I received a scholarship to study architecture at the Universidad Americana in Managua. I received a bachelor of architecture and was the Valedictorian of my class in 2015. I began working as an architect in Managua, and have developed an integrated approach to sustainability, technology and explorations of new design methods. I adopted this approach because I believe we are responsible for our environment, and for our planet. I hope that, through my work, I can create a better future for those around me.

STORY

I escaped my country and I arrived to America 9 months ago on my tourist visa, carrying only a backpack with my laptop and some personal documents. That was it. The short story is I left Nicaragua to save my life. The Nicaraguan government was killing, torturing and imprisoning anyone who protested. My family, has been active in peaceful demonstrations in Nicaragua opposing corrupt and oppressive actions by the current regime. As a result, the government forces have been hunting us down, one by one. We have been hit hard, and have lost everything. My family hotel was burned down with my family members still inside. Including my grandfather who was brutally tortured and almost killed. Two of my uncles and aunt were taken as political prisoners, and sentenced to 49 years. Me and family members have been physically attacked and shot at. My Mom and my siblings are still in Nicaragua, and every day I wonder what will happen to them. I was the only person in my family who escaped. If I return to Nicaragua, I will be imprisoned and possibly tortured or killed.

I am currently living in Maryland and am applying for asylum in the United States. I know that I will never have a future in the place where I was born, but I am committed to making a difference here. By sheer luck and happenstance, I am surrounded by people who have have helped me secure a pro-bono lawyer. My case is currently under review. I am doing all that I can do, and have no choice but to believe my case will be heard by the right people, and that I won’t be sent home to unspeakable horror. I have hope that things will work out. I have hope because I believe in the dream that is America.

During the last months, I worked day and night on my asylum case, and on my applications for Masters programs in Architecture at Catholic University, Pratt Institute and Columbia University. And my dream has come true: I have been accepted into Columbia University for a year-long program that begins in one month. I know that completing a master’s degree there could make all the difference in the world for me. And as a Latinx Nicaraguan who arrived in American less than a year ago, the prospect of attending Columbia feels like a miracle.

My singular focus now is figuring out how I will be able to pay for the one-year program at Columbia. Due to my current immigration status, I’m not eligible for the Federal Student Loan program or American scholarships. So, I am trusting friends who have encouraged me to start this Go Fund Me Campaign, and am reaching out to all of you for any help you might be able to give. I need to raise a $100,000. I don’t know if this is possible, but I do know that if we are able to raise the money that I will work harder than I have ever worked. I do know that if I graduate, it will be because I am blessed to be surrounded by people who believed in me, and assured me that others would as well.

Thank you for reading my story, and thank you for any amount you can contribute.