Help for Syrian Refugee Family
Donation protected
Hello! Marhaba! Please meet the Hammada family.
The Hammadas- Mohamed (father), Safa (mother) and their children Mohamed (10 years), Ali (8 years) Elaf (2 1/2 years) and Zakaria (1 year) - fled Idlib, Syria, and were fortunate enough to be granted refugee status a few months ago here in San Diego, California.
All six of them live in a small apartment and are currently depending on very meager public and private non-profit resources to support their new lives here in America. They are a kind and gracious family who have lived through horrors most of us cannot even imagine.
The Hammadas had lived their entire lives in Idlib, Syria, where the current civil war which has ravaged Syria had its roots. Thus, this family has been living the horrors of war since the conflict started more than 5 years ago. When the bombings of their city got extreme, and as they were fleeing, Mohamed's wife and mother of the two oldest boys, Mohamed Jr and Ali, was killed. Mohamed was then left as a single father raising two boys during wartime. You can only imagine the stuggles he endured. He then met Safa and they got married - and she immediately began to raise the boys as her own. Together as a family they moved to many "safer" areas in Syria, but it got to a point that there were no more safe areas for them to live in Syria. They then had to flee Syria and they made it to the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan, where they survived together for more than 3 years. Life in the refugee camp was difficult, but they survived. Safa told me most days she was just thankful if they had enough food to feed the children two meals a day.
They have been through unimaginable hardship - niether of the boys have ever been to school, as the war broke out just as Mohamed Jr was starting kindergarten 5 years ago, and they have lived in constant chaos ever since. Both of the boys are beyond excited to now be attending school for the first time here in San Diego and they love their school and classes! They are learning English quickly and are very bright, sweet boys. Both parents are currently taking English classes, and Mohamed is very eager to find a job as soon as possible. His lack of English is a hinderance but he previously worked in construction and is hopeful he can soon find employment. The Hammadas are true survivors, and my hope is that with some help, they cannot only survive but thrive in their new country.
I feel called to help them, as one of my mottos in life has always been "but for the grace of God go I" - I feel like we as Americans have truly won the lottery of life by simply being born where we were - and I feel called to help those who have not been as fortunate. I am asking for your help, too.
Their list of needs is not much - they live very simply and have very few possessions. What they are most in need of for the forseeable future is assistance with their "rent gap" - next month a private rent subsidy they have been receiving will end and they will only have enough money to cover $1,000 of their $1,600 monthly rent. (rent is extremely high in San Diego) Any money I raise for rent will be paid directly to the non-profit SCN (Syrian Community Network) who works with the landlords to pay the rent gap on the refugees behalf. The money will go directly to help pay the Hammadas rent. (SCN can also issue a tax deductiable receipt for any donation of $250 or over - if you do this, please let me know so I can include the amount in the campaign - You can write a check to Syrian Community Network-San Diego
Attn: Camelia
6444 Cinnabar Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
And please make sure to put in memo on check for
Hammada Case #CH-2230
- less than this amount is still tax deductible according to IRS rules, just make sure you keep some documentation yourself of your donation)
If there is additional money after ensuring their rent is taken care of for the next 6 months, I will then use the additional money to purchase a car for the family. The family really needs a car so that Mohamed can look for work and get to any job he may find.
If you can make a donation I would be incredibly grateful. Any amount will help.
I also have an Amazon Wishlist set up for their household needs if you should feel called to assist in that manner. I have posted the Amazon wishlist on my Facebook account.
THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for any assistance you can provide! I know the Hammada family is so very humbled, thankful and appreciative.
Additional information:
1. Who Am I? My name is Michelle Rogers Alsari, and I am a volunteer with Heart4Refugees, a nonprofit organization based in San Diego that seeks to ensure the 1000 Syrian refugees who have been resettled here are supported during their transition to new lives in America. https://www.facebook.com/Heart4Refugees/
2. Where am I from? San Diego, California.
3. How do I know the Hammada Family? They are my "adopted" family through Heart4Refugees. It is my desire that our relationship will continue, and I will be able to offer not only financial help but also the comfort of a supportive friendship and assistance as they navigate their new life in America.
4. How will the funds will be used? I will be using the funds to help meet their rent gap need and any other bills associated with the apartment (electricity, etc) until they are gainfully employed and more financially independent. Any excess money will be used to buy the family a car.
5. Will funds be given directly to the family? No. Heart4Refugees strongly recommends the funds be used on the family's behalf rather than being delivered directly to the family (for example, it is better to pay rent to the family's landlord or to the non-profit Syrian Community Network on their behalf than to just give the family cash). This way, volunteers can coordinate to ensure the maximum number of families get what they need.
The Hammadas- Mohamed (father), Safa (mother) and their children Mohamed (10 years), Ali (8 years) Elaf (2 1/2 years) and Zakaria (1 year) - fled Idlib, Syria, and were fortunate enough to be granted refugee status a few months ago here in San Diego, California.
All six of them live in a small apartment and are currently depending on very meager public and private non-profit resources to support their new lives here in America. They are a kind and gracious family who have lived through horrors most of us cannot even imagine.
The Hammadas had lived their entire lives in Idlib, Syria, where the current civil war which has ravaged Syria had its roots. Thus, this family has been living the horrors of war since the conflict started more than 5 years ago. When the bombings of their city got extreme, and as they were fleeing, Mohamed's wife and mother of the two oldest boys, Mohamed Jr and Ali, was killed. Mohamed was then left as a single father raising two boys during wartime. You can only imagine the stuggles he endured. He then met Safa and they got married - and she immediately began to raise the boys as her own. Together as a family they moved to many "safer" areas in Syria, but it got to a point that there were no more safe areas for them to live in Syria. They then had to flee Syria and they made it to the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan, where they survived together for more than 3 years. Life in the refugee camp was difficult, but they survived. Safa told me most days she was just thankful if they had enough food to feed the children two meals a day.
They have been through unimaginable hardship - niether of the boys have ever been to school, as the war broke out just as Mohamed Jr was starting kindergarten 5 years ago, and they have lived in constant chaos ever since. Both of the boys are beyond excited to now be attending school for the first time here in San Diego and they love their school and classes! They are learning English quickly and are very bright, sweet boys. Both parents are currently taking English classes, and Mohamed is very eager to find a job as soon as possible. His lack of English is a hinderance but he previously worked in construction and is hopeful he can soon find employment. The Hammadas are true survivors, and my hope is that with some help, they cannot only survive but thrive in their new country.
I feel called to help them, as one of my mottos in life has always been "but for the grace of God go I" - I feel like we as Americans have truly won the lottery of life by simply being born where we were - and I feel called to help those who have not been as fortunate. I am asking for your help, too.
Their list of needs is not much - they live very simply and have very few possessions. What they are most in need of for the forseeable future is assistance with their "rent gap" - next month a private rent subsidy they have been receiving will end and they will only have enough money to cover $1,000 of their $1,600 monthly rent. (rent is extremely high in San Diego) Any money I raise for rent will be paid directly to the non-profit SCN (Syrian Community Network) who works with the landlords to pay the rent gap on the refugees behalf. The money will go directly to help pay the Hammadas rent. (SCN can also issue a tax deductiable receipt for any donation of $250 or over - if you do this, please let me know so I can include the amount in the campaign - You can write a check to Syrian Community Network-San Diego
Attn: Camelia
6444 Cinnabar Way
Carlsbad, CA 92009
And please make sure to put in memo on check for
Hammada Case #CH-2230
- less than this amount is still tax deductible according to IRS rules, just make sure you keep some documentation yourself of your donation)
If there is additional money after ensuring their rent is taken care of for the next 6 months, I will then use the additional money to purchase a car for the family. The family really needs a car so that Mohamed can look for work and get to any job he may find.
If you can make a donation I would be incredibly grateful. Any amount will help.
I also have an Amazon Wishlist set up for their household needs if you should feel called to assist in that manner. I have posted the Amazon wishlist on my Facebook account.
THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for any assistance you can provide! I know the Hammada family is so very humbled, thankful and appreciative.
Additional information:
1. Who Am I? My name is Michelle Rogers Alsari, and I am a volunteer with Heart4Refugees, a nonprofit organization based in San Diego that seeks to ensure the 1000 Syrian refugees who have been resettled here are supported during their transition to new lives in America. https://www.facebook.com/Heart4Refugees/
2. Where am I from? San Diego, California.
3. How do I know the Hammada Family? They are my "adopted" family through Heart4Refugees. It is my desire that our relationship will continue, and I will be able to offer not only financial help but also the comfort of a supportive friendship and assistance as they navigate their new life in America.
4. How will the funds will be used? I will be using the funds to help meet their rent gap need and any other bills associated with the apartment (electricity, etc) until they are gainfully employed and more financially independent. Any excess money will be used to buy the family a car.
5. Will funds be given directly to the family? No. Heart4Refugees strongly recommends the funds be used on the family's behalf rather than being delivered directly to the family (for example, it is better to pay rent to the family's landlord or to the non-profit Syrian Community Network on their behalf than to just give the family cash). This way, volunteers can coordinate to ensure the maximum number of families get what they need.
Organizer
Michelle Rogers Alsari
Organizer
San Diego, CA
Begin your fundraising journey
