Help Kate deal with financial challenges due to sanctions

My dear international friends,

Many of you know that due to the political situation between Russia and Ukraine, international companies and organizations imposed sanctions against Russia, therefore Russian citizens.

As a citizen of Russia, living in Hungary, I’m struggling financially because of those sanctions. Specifically, on the 6th of March Visa and MasterCard cards issued by Russian banks got blocked abroad. So, I can’t make transactions or pay in shops or online with those cards, or even withdraw money in cash form those cards here in Hungary. Russian cards are just useless plastic for me now. (https://www.bbc.com/news/business-60637429)

Luckily, I have a bank account issued in Hungarian bank. But, unfortunately, neither my parents nor my relatives or my friends from Russia can transfer money to my Hungarian bank account. The reason for this is that SWIFT transfers can’t be made from Russia to foreign bank accounts (my Hungarian bank account in this case). Also, I have been working as an English teacher teaching students in Russia remotely, and now I can’t get payments from them for the same reason that they can’t make international SWIFT transactions from Russia. My parents and I have been trying to find alternative ways how to send money to me, but so far no good news on that yet:(

I get monthly stipend from my Hungarian university but unfortunately it’s not enough for me to get by - both pay for apartment rent and buy food. I’m in a “saving money” mode and meanwhile looking for part-time job opportunities here in Hungary.

This news of Visa and MasterCard suspension hit me as a very unpleasant surprise. It’s been more than three weeks already, and I haven’t found any financial income yet. I hope there will be some opportunities for me soon but for now I’m reaching out to you, my friends, and asking for financial help🙏🏻

I’d really appreciate if you can donate some money to me and help me to continue my master’s studies here in Hungary. Any amount of money is appreciated. I hope that someday I’ll be able to help you back in any way, as I believe that good goes round!

Wish you all stay safe in this difficult time❤️