Change a Life

This is Carlos. He is a 4th grade student in Coral Springs, FL.  He has lived in the United States for the past 2 years with his mom and older brother.  They will be deported back to El Salvador April 30th if they do not hire a reputable lawyer to assist them with the process. They left in hopes of a better life. In El Salvador, most children between the ages of 5 and 17 are forced to start working. They usually have jobs as domestic servants on plantations.   They work long hours and are often in dangerous conditions that expose them to abuse. Many cannot attend school because they have to work to support their families. Lets make sure Carlos isn't one of them. 

Carlos' mom works 2 shifts just to get by. She earns $8/hr at a restaurant washing dishes, busing, cleaning, doing whatever she can just to take care of her kids. She cleans houses as well. It will take her a lot more than 2 months to save up enough money to hire a lawyer, which is why they need our help. 

I have been bringing Carlos home from school for the past 2 years. He is a classmate of my eldest daughter and was walking home one day in the middle of a bad thunderstorm. My daughter spotted him and asked if we could  give him a ride home. He lives almost 2 miles away from school. That same walk in El Salvador is dangerous and often deadly. Hundreds of children are killed every year there and many will end up dropping out of school for safety reasons. Can you imagine if this was your child or family member? This is what Carlos is facing if he goes back.

In the short time they have been here, Carlos' mom has been taken advantage of twice, that I know of. Once for $500 by someone claiming to have a room for rent and the other for $10K by an immigration lawyer. She has no family here and doesn't know who she can trust. She did not ask for my help. I found out about her situation by chance after Carlos advised me he would not be in school one day because he had to see a judge. He was told to pack his personal belongings because they may have to leave the country that day.  My eyes filled with tears as I asked more questions. I didn't know what to say. I tried to reassure him all the while tears were streaming down my face. How could this be? I have found a lawyer in Coral Gables who can help her. Time is of the essence, as they only have until April 30th.  She has to act now and needs our help

I am hoping to raise enough funds to cover lawyer fees. I am not one to ask anyone for anything and I rarely post to FB, but I am asking now. I believe in fate. I believe there was a reason I was placed in their lives that rainy day. This would change their lives forever! Although I do not know what it is like to be an immigrant, I do know many others who are, one of which is my husband, the father of my two girls.

Forgive me for asking for your help. We all have obligations, bills to pay, etc.  I will forever be grateful to all of you for helping because the truth is, you will not only be changing the life of Carlos, his brother and his mom, but mine as well. You see, it has long been my dream to make a difference in someones life. I feel this is it.

Please share this with as many people as you can. $10, $20, $30.....whatever you can give is greatly appreciated. In the end it all adds up. And most importantly, thank you.... from the bottom of my heart, thank you.  Thank you for reading this, thank you for sharing and thank you for your donation.