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Good afternoon, my name is Valyaryna Kustava. Many people know me as a poet, TV presenter, mentor, author of media projects. All my life I have been writing books, popularizing Belarusian culture, helping people in trouble. But now I have to ask for help myself, although it was not an easy decision.
In 2020, I created the project “Belarus to Belarus, through which I told about repressions and helped more than 120 families of political prisoners and repressed. But in June 2021, because of my cooperation with “Belsat” and support of people, a black bus came to pick me up, criminal proceedings were initiated allegedly on the fact of “financing and organizing protests”, several searches took place at my home, as well as at my parents. The real estate was sealed.
So, with no money and only one backpack, I evacuated to Poland, where I continued to work and volunteer. Miraculously, my daughter, who was only two years old at the time, was also evacuated. My elderly mom and dad also still depend on me. In addition, I am a solo mom.
Not long after I moved out, my dad was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors only gave him two months to live, but I have been fighting for his life for over a year now: complicated surgery, 12 cycles of chemotherapy, thrombosis, checkups while waiting for the next surgery. For the first months I was with him in the hospital 24 hours a day, then I made dressings, injections, took him to procedures. Then my daughter needed treatment too. I was forced to parent both my child and my mom and dad.
Of course, I also needed medical help: fatigue, stress, depression and emotional burnout significantly worsened my health, I even had to have surgery. The latest x-rays, tests and doctors' conclusions say that I need urgent treatment and rehabilitation. And although I continue to work, as there is no other way out, everything described above could not but drive me into debt. It is because of them that I am turning to you.
If I survive this most difficult time, I will return to supporting others, saving Belarusians and Belarusians and inspiring to live. To live again myself and to create for our Belarus, because my heart is convinced that Belarus to Belarusians is love, support and victory. And where we are together, there is the Motherland.
That is why I ask for your help. The sum I ask will not cover all the needs and will not solve all the problems that have arisen in my life, but it will be of great importance for the beginning of the struggle, and, of course, I will be grateful for every donation.
If a miracle happens and more than the minimum amount needed is raised, I will be able to spend that money on my dad's rehab and the treatment and rehabilitation of me and my daughter.
How much is needed?
€8700
€4600 is for the rent of the apartment where my daughter and I live
€3100 for my parents' rent.
€1000 — payment of part of the legal fees in Belarus