Please meet the Shaheen Family: Talal  (59 year old father), Samar  (47 year old mother), Abdullatif (20), Ghazwan (18), Hasan (14) and Sbea (11).

The Shaheens have 4 more children who are currently still in Jordan. They fled their home in Homs where Talal was a contractor in 2011 and have been refuges in Jordan since then. It is only now, 6 years later, that they have been allowed to find refuge in the United States of America.

 The family of 6 lives in a small apartment in San Diego and have only limited resources to support their new life in America.

My mother in law and I, recently had the pleasure of meeting Talal and his wife Samar at their home.  We were greeted with warmth and overwhelming generosity. They welcomed us with a traditional Syrian breakfast and tea.

 Their sons are all attending school. Talal the father is unable to work because of a back injury and is seeking treatment to become healthy enough to work.

Their oldest son is hoping to find work so that he can support the family; he is eager to work and is trying to better his English so that he can have more options to find a job.

 Despite having lived in San Diego for 5 months, the family has yet to explore their new community because of the remote location of their apartment. They have come so far yet have so far to go.
But they are hopeful despite the challenges that lie ahead.

 As someone who is a part of a family of immigrants, I felt the need to support this family through one of the hardest times of their life. And, the Shaheens and I are thankful for Heart4Refugees for making this happen. If you are able to make a donation to this loving family in need, you can do so on my GoFundMe page. For that, we would be incredibly grateful.

 Their needs are simple: household and hygiene products, a laptop to facilitate communication with family still away, curtains, etc.  Any amount you can contribute will be a huge help to this family.

 As a nation, we are staring in the face of one of the most tragic humanitarian crisis of our time. But, WE CAN DO SOMETHING! We can rally around those in need. Support people who are overwhelming need. Love our neighbors who have dreamt of solace in our communities. Let us dedicate ourselves to love and help our brothers and sisters in need and be living examples of goodwill on this planet.

 
Additional info
1-Who am I?

My name is Merijam Roelofs. I am a local designer here in San Diego and a mother.

2- How do you know the Shaheen Family?

I met the Shaheen family through Heart4Refugees. My family and I were able to adopt the Shaheen family. We met them at their house with Yazmeen our translator form heart4refugees.
I hope to be able to help them financially as well as be their friend as they navigate through life in America.

 3-How will the funds be used?

I will be using the donations to help meet their needs: purchase clothing, food, household items, a car, bills and rent, medicine, etc.; until they are financially independent. Depending on the money raised we might be able to adopt another family who is also in need, coordinated by Heart4refugees.

4-Will the funds be given to the family directly?

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 landlord than give out the cash). This way we can ensure the maximum number of families get what they need.
www.hearts4refugees.org/