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Hawa Karim escaped Sierra Leon 7 years ago and came to America where she has been living in Richmond, Virginia and working at Chick-fil-A White Oak Village. In 2015, Hawa became a United States citizen and she describes that day as the happiest she has ever been.
Since she arrived in this country, it has been her goal to work hard and eventually bring her children, KadiJa (15) and Abdul (12) to the United States.
Hawa grew up with her Father and Step-mother and had a relatively happy childhood. But when war broke out in Sierra Leon, things changed for her family. The rebels came in and burned people’s homes including the one that belonged to Hawa’s family. They killed many people and those who they didn’t kill, would have the tendons in their hands and feet cut so that they could no longer work.
Hawa’s family fled and lived in the woods in Sierra Leon for 1 ½ years, walking and trying to escape to New Guinee. They finally reached New Guinee and Hawa’s brother registered her into a program to file for refugee status in the United States. When Hawa was chosen to come to the United States, she had mixed feelings because she would have to leave her children behind.
Hawa’s father told to come to the United States, find a job and to make the people at her job her family. That is exactly what she’s done. Hawa has been working at Chick-fil-A White Oak Village since coming to the US and she has become an extremely valued team member.
Hawa’s children returned to Sierra Leon and lived with their Father, however he died 2 years ago. Since then, they have been living with Hawa’s mother. The only income they have is the money that Hawa is able to send them every month.
After years of waiting and working with United States agencies, Hawa’s family – her mother and two children - have been granted permission to come to the United State to live. All of us at Chick-fil-A White Oak Village are thrilled for her. She hasn’t seen her children in over 7 years!!
Now all she needs is money! Please help us raise money to reunited Hawa with her family!
Since she arrived in this country, it has been her goal to work hard and eventually bring her children, KadiJa (15) and Abdul (12) to the United States.
Hawa grew up with her Father and Step-mother and had a relatively happy childhood. But when war broke out in Sierra Leon, things changed for her family. The rebels came in and burned people’s homes including the one that belonged to Hawa’s family. They killed many people and those who they didn’t kill, would have the tendons in their hands and feet cut so that they could no longer work.
Hawa’s family fled and lived in the woods in Sierra Leon for 1 ½ years, walking and trying to escape to New Guinee. They finally reached New Guinee and Hawa’s brother registered her into a program to file for refugee status in the United States. When Hawa was chosen to come to the United States, she had mixed feelings because she would have to leave her children behind.
Hawa’s father told to come to the United States, find a job and to make the people at her job her family. That is exactly what she’s done. Hawa has been working at Chick-fil-A White Oak Village since coming to the US and she has become an extremely valued team member.
Hawa’s children returned to Sierra Leon and lived with their Father, however he died 2 years ago. Since then, they have been living with Hawa’s mother. The only income they have is the money that Hawa is able to send them every month.
After years of waiting and working with United States agencies, Hawa’s family – her mother and two children - have been granted permission to come to the United State to live. All of us at Chick-fil-A White Oak Village are thrilled for her. She hasn’t seen her children in over 7 years!!
Now all she needs is money! Please help us raise money to reunited Hawa with her family!
Organizer and beneficiary
Hawa Karim
Beneficiary