A Safe Start For An Iraqi Refugee
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I spent my summer volunteering in refugee camps on Lesvos Island, Greece. In the camps there were people from Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Congo, and Cameroon, along with many others. The reality on the ground is depressing, with people having to wait more than 2 years to even have an interview to begin the asylum process. While working with a Dutch NGO I began to get to know many of the residents of the camps, including a man named Hamoudi, who has been living in the camp for over 2 years. He and I worked together for 2 months and are in contact through WhatsApp.
Hamoudi is a 23 year old from Iraq who has traveled by foot through his country and Turkey, then took the dangerous boat ride to Greece in hopes of a new safe start. He had to leave Iraq because of prosecution from ISIS due to the fact that he is Sunni (the Muslim minority) and his uncle was a General for the Iraqi Army. He escaped from ISIS when he was 19 years old, and has been searching for safety ever since. He now has a chance at that safety because he has been awarded his Greek ID card after 2 years on the island. With sick parents in Iraq his money situation is very tight. I am trying to raise $1,000 (850€) in order to cover his transportation from Lesvos to the Netherlands, along with his first-month rent and food costs.
The funds will be used for (1) his flight off of Lesbos Island to Amsterdam, where he will live with his friend while looking for work (2) the first month of rent paid to his friend while he stays with him outside of Amsterdam (3) Food and transportation for his first month looking for a job. After his first month being supported by this effort, he will be on his own financially, this campaign is just to give him a good place to start.
The funds are currently set up to be deposited into my personal checking account. I plan on withdrawing the money from my checking account to send to Hamoudi via Western Union. I will most likely use my personal debit card to send the funds to Hamoudi so they can reach him in the most efficient way possible.
This is an opportunity to help a young man get his life back in a place where he is free and able to express who he is unapologetically. If you are able, take the opportunity to help someone change their life.
Hamoudi is a 23 year old from Iraq who has traveled by foot through his country and Turkey, then took the dangerous boat ride to Greece in hopes of a new safe start. He had to leave Iraq because of prosecution from ISIS due to the fact that he is Sunni (the Muslim minority) and his uncle was a General for the Iraqi Army. He escaped from ISIS when he was 19 years old, and has been searching for safety ever since. He now has a chance at that safety because he has been awarded his Greek ID card after 2 years on the island. With sick parents in Iraq his money situation is very tight. I am trying to raise $1,000 (850€) in order to cover his transportation from Lesvos to the Netherlands, along with his first-month rent and food costs.
The funds will be used for (1) his flight off of Lesbos Island to Amsterdam, where he will live with his friend while looking for work (2) the first month of rent paid to his friend while he stays with him outside of Amsterdam (3) Food and transportation for his first month looking for a job. After his first month being supported by this effort, he will be on his own financially, this campaign is just to give him a good place to start.
The funds are currently set up to be deposited into my personal checking account. I plan on withdrawing the money from my checking account to send to Hamoudi via Western Union. I will most likely use my personal debit card to send the funds to Hamoudi so they can reach him in the most efficient way possible.
This is an opportunity to help a young man get his life back in a place where he is free and able to express who he is unapologetically. If you are able, take the opportunity to help someone change their life.
Organizer
Kali Pratt
Organizer
Wilson, WY
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