Help an asylum seeker attend parttime drama school

by Yuna and Lara at LegalAliens + Gil in Twickenham, England, United Kingdom

We did it
On 14th August 2024 we successfully raised £515 with 17 supporters in 28 days

To raise money to attend All In Actors. This is the 2nd crowdfunder as the first one was paid to Maktub Theatre for my current training.

by Yuna and Lara at LegalAliens + Gil in Twickenham, England, United Kingdom

Hello everyone, 

my name is Yuna and I am an asylum seeker and human rights and trans activist.

I have 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. I would love to attend this school as clown training is also offered in the curriculum and it makes me happy to learn clowning.

I live on £7/day from the Home Office. I am living in Home Office accommodation in Twickenham (Zone 5) and I have to travel during peak hours, costing me £10 per round trip, and £30/week. Bringing the total needed funds to £1580 for the academic year.

I have to pay my first deposit this friday (19th)

Being an asylum seeker and unable to work, I am not able to pay these fees. 

This fundraiser is a joint fundraiser that is in collaboration with LegalAliens Theatre, a Theatre of Sanctuary based in Haringey and my acting friend, Gil. I have collaborated with LegalAlien Theatre for over a year. Several other charities are supporting me behind the scenes.

The transport fund will also be donated to me via my friend Gil, once I reach the target. 

I need LegalAliens and Gil, 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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