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Hello my dear friends 

My name is André and I currently live in São Paulo, Brazil. During my entire life, I attended public schools, solely by the reason that they are free in my country. I foresaw that studying was the only way to evolve. Raised among financial hardships and little choices of life, it was books or nothing. I met many people whom, because of our common background, turned to the life of crime. 

My parents, early divorced, could not support my studies. They barely helped me when I needed the most. Public collleges in Brazil are mostly in a mess. Lack of teachers, lack of structure and poorly prepared professionals. The students are not given any info about the job market or even how to start to search. I just stumbled into adulthood with little knowledge about practical work. I remember sending more than 100 résumées and not getting any answer. 

I struggled for two years, a period when I thought about giving up life or leaving the city, the state or the country. Good thing I thought twice. I planned getting a technical diploma and it was the first time I realized the real potential of studying. I succeeded on the entrance exam and attended the two years course of Graphic Arts. 

This helped me with my first job. I was a drugstore clerk for about seven months, and then started working at a local newspaper, one of my favorites activities. I really loved what I did, though my salary was really low. Add the fact that I had to help with my family budget and sometimes I could not spent a penny with me, even to eat. Focusing on study, I chose to pay for a prep course. I still remember, at the time I had only two shirts and one jeans.

I gave my best, like it was the last oppoturnity. And I really thought it was my last chance ever, because otherwise, I would never succeed in life.

Thankfully, my efforts were rewarded. I managed to get accepted for the best Graduate School in Brazil: University of São Paulo. I was very happy and delighted. However, economically, things did not change. The financial hardships did not disappear. I still had to work. I worked all my way through graduation. I barely had vacations. Life was still though. But I was doing what I wanted: Law. Therefore I was hopeful for the future. 

I did a few internships, earning enought to help in the house, but not to save for the future. Food, health and clothings, all consumed the litte amount I was used to receive. 

Again, I had to resort to study as the only way up. I tried on a very competitive public exam to be a legal clerk in a Justice Court. Only 1,500 vacant places and 120,000  contestants. This is it because the Justice Court pays a good salary which is three times what an ungraduated employee earns. 

I started my career at court in my veteran year. Finally things began to settle down for me, financially speaking. Finally I could rent a place of my own and plan my future. But just as I was feeling life was evolving at the pace I wanted, tragedy happened. 

It was the day of the ceremony of graduation. My mother felt sick and suddenly passed out on my hands. The doctors could not do anything. She died early, at the age of 58, leaving me and two brothers to take care of ourselves.

It was hard, very hard. I cried a lot and I still remember every detail of that day. But I had to carry on. I took the responsibilities of the house to myself and kept living with my brothers. Thankfully, soon I was promoted twice at my job. 

This event happened just two years ago. Because all of my trajetory and the obstacles I faced, when I turned 26, I had not saved anything. I simply could not. And this a huge matter now, more than ever I need the most. 

In these two years, things got much better I finally started to plan my life and future. One of my dreams was to study abroad and to become an international law professional and human rights activist. I always wished I could help people, remembering all the problems I had to overcome. 

Then, I applied for the Graduate Institute of Geneva, one of the best institutions of the world, and my only choice for a Master on International Law. I have to say, I did not believe I could be accepted at the first try. Because all the hardships I faced in life left me little time to engage in extraclasses activies, volunteer and other languages. 

On March 20, 2015, I received the best notice of my life. I was admitted. Upon noticing my admission, I was very happy and somewhat sad. Well, I became accepted. But, unfortunately, my scholarship was refused. I really thought about giving up at first. I can not maintain myself there without any help. As I said above, I barely have saved enough. I can stay there for only six months. And I have to quit my job in Brazil and still help my brothers. 

Loans are very expensive in Brazil. I don't have any hopes with other scholarships. I can not work In Geneva at all, it is forbidden. 

But I don't want to give up. And I will never will. I will try everything I can and speak with everyone I may. This is the reason I created this site. I can not maintain myself without financial help. 

The crowdfunding is one of my options, and the most hopeful one. A lot of friends have already helped me. Swiss Francs are really expensive. 

Therefore, I humbly ask for your consideration and donation. Any amount would help me a lot. And if you feel like it, please share my cause, so other people would see it too.

Also, I ask for help with the compromise that, in the future, I will financially help other students too. 

My target is: US$ 8,300 dollars. 

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