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On the 22nd May 2024 we'd raised £878 with 24 supporters in 21 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
+ est. £103.50
Raise funds to attend acting training for a year, as a step to get into full-time drama school. As an asylum seeker I can't fund it myself
by Yuna and Lara at LegalAliens + Gil in London, Greater London, United Kingdom
On the 22nd May 2024 we'd raised £878 with 24 supporters in 21 days. But as every pound matters, we're continuing to collect donations from supporters.
Hello everyone,
my name is Yuna and I am an asylum seeker and human rights and trans activist.
I have recently been accepted into Maktub Theatre Company's training program (14th April-16th September) after 2 rounds of auditions, and it will cost me 500£ to partake in it. This has been paid with the donation from LegalAliens Theatre and Future Leaders, and a £90 loan from a friend.
I have also secured a place in All In Actors, Act 3 program (3 days a week), which is a 1 year part time actor training program starting from 18th Sept 2024- 24th July 2025. Even though I have received a tuition scholarship for this, I am required to pay a 500£ non refundable deposit to secure my place in this part time drama school.
The deadline for this has been extended to end of May.
Being an asylum seeker and unable to work, I am not able to pay these fees.
I live on 49£/week from the Home Office. I also have to raise 1000£ for transport fees as I am living in Home Office accommodation in Twickenham (Zone 5) and I have to travel during peak hours, costing me £14.6 per round trip. It will cost me £555 just for travel costs to and from Maktub Theatre Company twice a week till 16 Sept, and £1170 for the whole course(thrice a week) to and from All In Actors (From 17Sept - 17july)
This fundraiser is a joint fundraiser that is in collaboration with LegalAliens Theatre, a Theatre of Sanctuary based in Haringey and Future Leaders. I have collaborated with both these charities for over a year. LegalAliens have pledged 120£ and Future Leaders have pledged 250£. Several other charities are supporting me behind the scenes.
The total fee for tuition, if I manage to reach my target it will be paid immediately in its entirety to both Maktub (Paid and deducted from fundraiser) and All in Actors via LegalAliens Theatre.
The transport fund will also be donated to me via LegalAliens Theatre, once I reach the target.
I need LegalAliens to act as intermediary because as an asylum seeker I am not entitled to a bank account of my own.
It is extremely difficult for me to go to a traditional drama school as I have no access to Student Finance as an asylum seeker, and thus have to pay International fees for a 3 year BA program. Hence, programs like these are the only way for me to get actor training while waiting for my asylum claim to be processed.
I would be very thankful if you could help me on my journey towards becoming a trained actor. I aim to eventually push for more positive BESEA (British East and South East Asian) trans-representation and narratives on screen and theatre, as I have never watched someone like myself on TV before. I believe it is very important to me to break the glass ceiling and push for change, diversity and inclusion in this industry.
Thank you so much for joining me in this journey of mine, and for reading this, have a wonderful day x
Best regards, Yuna
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