Hi, I'm Barbara, as you can read from the title the only purpose of this fundraiser is to allow me to start studying again. I'm 33, I have a job that pays just over 1300 euros a month and I live with my partner, we more or less manage to make ends meet at the end of the month but still on the skim, like many of my generation. I was brought up by a widowed mother in a council house, she never let me lack anything and we both did what we could.

I started working when I was 16 years old, while I was studying at high school; later, still working, I tried to go to state university, photocopying textbooks to save money and more or less keeping up with the costs, but it provided study paths that were not suitable for me and the work didn't leave me much margin... so I had to stop, hoping that in the future I could have more and resume pursuing my dreams.

When I was a bit younger I used to tell myself, for a lot of things, 'when I'm older and independent I will be able to...' but it wasn't and it won't be. I still didn't realise that efforts don't always pay off.

Even now, studying what I want is a privilege I cannot afford.

I am writing this announcement because I am unhappy but I would like to change this condition, I want to turn my life around but I do not have the tools to do so.

I would like to attend the San Remo Academy of Fine Arts, which has also opened in Milan, specifically the 'Graphic Design' course.

The tuition costs 7400 euro a year.

Even if I ask for support from my mother (who is also going through chemo and I honestly don't feel up to it) and my partner (who has always supported me in everything but I don't want to continue to burden him), I wouldn't even come close to half the amount, not to mention that accessory expenses will have to be added (travel, because I live in the province of Lodi, materials, accessory equipment...)

I don't know if this is a valid reason to ask for money from strangers, there are probably more urgent causes that deserve attention, probably no one will read my ad, or perhaps for those who do it will seem a ridiculous and trivial thing to outsiders. I assure you, however, that for me, who every day faces the life I do not want, being content in every respect, it is extremely painful and I am not even able to describe how important it is to be able to access a potential new life, without always having to fight tooth and nail and then still get nothing or nothing at all.

If you feel like it, if it seems worthwhile to give me a hand, I ask you for a contribution and even if you only stopped to listen to what I said, to my story, I thank you, you make me feel a little less alone.