I’m an American currently in a "prisoner situation" Uzbekistan. Why? Well…let me tell you why.
 
  I have been living in Asia for about sixteen years now, mainly the Philippines, with short tutoring stints in the ROC. I came back to the P.I. to visit my family in January 2020 during the Spring Festival. As you well know this is about the start of the Covid19 pandemic and the following week the Beijing govt. locked the border.
 
  Being pro-active I began teaching ESL online for various platforms to continue a meager income for my children and my wife. At the end of the lock-outs and lock-downs in the fall of 2022 I began having a regular student from UZB by the name of N. Ismanov. This person, after a few lessons, began pitching UZB as a great place to live and work. He was also trying to sell to me on an IELTS school project in Chirchik. He had been looking for a “native speaker” for his project and told me I would be a partner in his project. His offer of salary was low: $1000 U.S. per month but he agreed to bump it up to $1500 U.S. While this was still low it was more stable than working online.
 
  As most persons would I did my due diligence: I searched UZB, Chirchik, and his name using various search engines. The only thing I found was a warning from the U.S. govt. saying not to go within five miles of the Afghanistan border. Well, common sense would prevail with most westerners not to go for a stroll in Taliban controlled AFG. And his name brought up no info or alarming narratives.
 
  N.I. offered to pay for my air tickets, explained the housing available, and that he would handle all expenses of entering UZB. I booked my tickets for January 21-22 and flew out. Once on the ground in Tashkent is where the red flags began flying. N.I. met me at the immigration entry point and asked me if I had $900 U.S. for an entry visa. Of course I had not anticipated this expense and did not have it on me. Also since he’d promised, yes promised, that all expense would be covered by him I had no reason to be carrying this kind of cash. He arranged for the funds while I waited at the entry point and found out later he’d ran around borrowing the money from friends.
 
  At the airport he introduced me to a kid named “Robert” that would be my “assistant” for all local matters who would live with me 24/7. This person was with me everywhere and I couldn’t go for a walk by myself; why will be explained later. 
 
  The beginnings of his school weren’t the greatest: he’d made an agreement with a local principal to use a couple of rooms at Chirchik no. 9 school. There was no heat in a record cold winter and constant distractions from the students at the school.
 
  He did not, and has not, run his school professionally; constant interruptions by him and his staff during classes and other issues, printed texts from online publishers, lack of school supplies, and other issues.
 
  The first payday was to be in April and came and went without full salary. A few hundred which I used for some food and sent what I could to my wife. Until this day I still have not received that month’s pay or the following month’s as well. My son needs monthly injections for a medical condition, my wife needs funds for a full medical work up, and my daughter needs medicine(s) for her asthma.
 
  N.I. has changed the location of the school twice in 3 months and we’re now in a run-down old Soviet structure. Why he keeps changing locations to me is obvious: he has no operating capital for the previous venues and moves to avoid the owners.
 
  After about five weeks he moved me out of the shared apartment and moved me in with his wife, kids, and foster kids. I cannot go anywhere by myself and am watched 24/7. There have been “windows” where I could escape where he leaves or the family is sleeping but there are no funds for leaving UZB.
 
  Things have currently worsened:
 
  ·I have been taking daily beatings to “stimulate my energy” or “improve my motivation”.
  ·I have been sick multiple times from the living quarters situation, classroom situation, or food.
  ·I’m working 10 hours per day with no breaks.
  ·He has indicated because of the costs of moving to a new location there may be no funds available
    for my expenses.
  ·He constantly asks me for money for tasks or food for his family and I’m draining what funds I have.
  ·For meals I get whatever is left from his groups munchings and not much.
  ·He takes me around to local schools to pitch his center to the students. One of the students warned
   me that I’m a target for kidnapping.
 
  To escape this disaster I will need at least $2000 U.S. for air tickets, and other necessary ground plans;
OR air tickets and $1200 U.S. for the same activities. My phone number in UZB is 998770171958 but I’m not available 24/7 please be aware of the Tashkent time zone. My email address is [email=funteacher2014@aol.com]funteacher2014@aol.com[/email].
 
I have pre-staged my gear and am ready to go as soon as I can get the needed help. I’m not being dramatic or unreasonable in my request. However, if I cannot escape this fiasco I will probably die here. Please help me get back to my family! Ed Martucci.

Attached is the UZB visa.

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Dear Community, 

I am writing to request your assistance in obtaining funds that will enable me to purchase dentures. I am ashamed to admit that I find myself in a difficult situation, and I am hoping that you can find it in your hearts to help me.

For years, I have struggled with dental issues, but recently they have taken a turn for the worse. My teeth have begun falling out, leaving me with a smile that I am too ashamed to show to the world. The pain has been almost unbearable at times, and I have found myself avoiding social situations altogether.

However, the problem goes far beyond vanity. Because of my dental condition, I have been unable to work, and thus unable to provide for my children. My savings have dried up, and I am starting to see that the future is looking bleak. I am constantly worried about how I will put food on the table or pay for basic needs such as electricity and water.

What's worse, I fear that my decaying teeth may actually kill me. I know that dental infection is a very real risk, and with the state of my teeth right now, I am putting myself in danger every single day. I am terrified that I will not be around to care for my children if things continue like this.

That's why I am turning to you, the kind-hearted members of this community, for help. I am humbly asking for donations that will enable me to purchase badly needed dentures. With these dentures, I will be able to return to work, earn a living and provide for my children on a consistent basis.

I understand that you may have many others requesting your time and your resources. But please know that any amount you are able to contribute will make an enormous difference in my life and the lives of my children. I promise to work tirelessly to repay your generosity by paying it forward to others in need once my situation improves.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and for considering a donation towards my dental fund. I look forward to one day being able to show off my new smile, and to once again being able to fully participate in all of life's joys.

Sincerely,

Holly

https://www.paypal.me/mygalaxy357

Hello, I recently was laid off from my job and my wife was laid off the week before me. I worked there for 10 years and never saw it coming. We have found new work but have fallen so far behind we are about to loose everything. I am trying to fins anything I can to make some extra cash. Our rent is do and we are in need of $2,000 desperately and immediately. Neither of us have any family or anyone that can help. I have never been in this situation and have always been one to help others. I never thought this would happen to us. I donr k ow what to do and I am so scared. Anything at all helps.  Thank you and God bless. paypal.me/JasonSheppard8414

Hello my name is Elena and I'm 26 years with two beautiful baby girls. I recently just lost my job and in the process of looking for a new one and my last check was used for other bills and groceries for the house. It's just me and my two daughters here in New Britain CT. I need help with my rent and/or household  stuff any thing that anyone can help with is greatly appreciated and thankful.

paypal.me/ElenaH680

Good afternoon, I hope everyone is ok. I feel awful posting this but I am desperate. I have young twins aged 6 months old and I’m a single father. My girlfriend died in childbirth and I’m on my own. I have had to quit my job to take care of the twins as they have breathing issues. 

I am desperately needing a car to take them to hospital appointments but I have no money. I need $2000 to get the right car I need and without it they aren’t able to get the help and medication they need. I understand if you aren’t able to help me but I appreciate anything anyone can offer. Thank you very much.

Im a 23 year old mama, I have an almost 2 year old. It’s very difficult for me to get a job because nobody wants to hire me due to during my pregnancy I had a calcium deficiency and had to get all of my teeth cut out and I can’t afford to pay for dentures. I used my income tax to buy a car so I could get my son back and forth to drs appts. My car payment is past due they are fixing to repo my car, my phone bill is due, my lights are fixing to get cut off and on top of that I had a dr appt last week and they found a lump in my breast they are wanting me to get a ultrasound and mammogram done but I have to pay out of pocket and I don’t have that kind of money. If someone could please just help me with all of this especially my teeth, I know I could get a job and that is all I want. I want to give my son a better life than I had. Having no teeth is killing my self worth. Everyone makes fun of me, and I’m limited to eat certain things… please please someone help me. I know it’s a lot to ask. But I’m trying my hardest to get up 3000 to pay for everything.

Hi, I am Gerlene, from a rural province in the Philippines. I am still unemployed but persistently looking for an online job to support and care for my senior citizen mom, aunt, and sister. I want to share a deeply personal and inspiring story. My sister Angela, or Angel as we call her, is a fourth-year medical student who has gratefully received a scholarship in the city to continue her education. However, despite this incredible opportunity, she struggles to cover expenses and essential medical instruments.

Your donations will enable Angel to pay for her living expenses and to buy her necessary medical books and instruments to focus on her studies and continue to work towards her goal of becoming a Doctor. With your support, she can fulfill her promise to give back and serve as a Doctor to the barrios, helping to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Hello, my name is Gerlene, and I am from the Republic of the Philippines. I have been unemployed for quite some time, and it has been a struggle for me to find work because of my ancient laptop. I'm also shy, making it difficult for me to network and find opportunities.

Hi, I am 33 years old and I am on disability, I had some unexpected expenses last month and now I am behind on my electric and phone bill. My phone has been disconnected and my electric will be shut off Tuesday if I can't get it paid. I need $200 for my electric bill and $155 for my phone bill.

My paypal is https://paypal.me/kma1025?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US