GET THIS MOMMA & HER BABIES HOME

So, here goes the quicksand that I happened to step into.The borders to our home country, Samoa, completely closed shortly after we arrived here in the States in February, 2020. My four children and I have been stuck here in the US ever since. Yes, we are homesick and yes, we are just dying to go back home.With the rising numbers in Covid-19 cases globally and especially here in the States, there have been no flights in or out of Samoa until recently.After eight long, emotionally and financially stressful months of surviving the pandemic in the States, altered lifestyle, and just trying to find our way home, our prayers have been answered.Samoa has finally been able to confirm its first repatriation flight to bring home stranded Samoans in the US. This flight is scheduled for November 27th, 2020. 3 weeks away.Sadly, the good news comes with a price. A very high one at that. The chartered flight is ridiculously expensive and the passengers have to shoulder the costs. On top of that, to comply with Samoa’s travel advisory so as not to bring the corona virus to our small island, two very pricey documents are needed.1.       A medical report from a certified medical practitioner for each passenger (3 days before the flight).2.       A negative Covid-19 test for each passenger (also within 3 days before the flight).If you haven’t already figured it out, there is quite a lot of financing involved in this sorry state that we are in. An arm and a leg even.☹  HERE ARE SOME HARD NOT-SO-FUN FACTS .   - There are 5 of us.- International air fares for chartered flights have skyrocketed to about $1300 USD for each passenger.- Getting checked by a medical practitioner is expensive. These kinds of services usually cost about $200-500 USD. We don’t have the money and insurance for this.- There are free testing centers, but they usually take 2 weeks to get results. Expedited results for Covid-19 tests will be at least $150 USD per person.-  My sister and her husband have been kind enough to house and feed us for 8 months and counting. We have stretched their resources and finances and they can no longer afford to help with our flight, even if they wanted to.- I am unemployed and can’t find work under the table even if I wanted to.- My husband in Samoa has been wiring money over every now and then, but with the currency of the Samoan talā being extremely low compared to USD (WST$435 makes USD$150) he can only do so much.- Trying to refund our airfares from our original flight that was cancelled is taking forever. - We are in Arizona but the flight is from LA, California to Apia, Samoa. The trip alone to get to California whether by car or plane plus accommodation will cost about $500-$800.-  Roughly, it will take about $2300 USD to be able to fly each person home. But if we could raise at least $2000 USD for each person  ($2k x 5 = $10k), it will go a very long way. The rest, my husband (the only working person in the family right now) can shoulder.- There are 378 people on the list of stranded people to be repatriated but only 302 seats on the flight from LA on Nov 27th. The rest will have to transit through New Zealand on an unconfirmed date. It just screams uncertain and more expensive.- Last, but not the least, I have to get my finances sorted right away. I need money ASAP so that I can secure seats for me and my 4 babies before they are all occupied.I am not one to ask or beg for anything, even if I needed it to survive. I am even embarrassed to ask my own blood brothers and sisters for money or things. But realizing that I am at my lowest, my babies are affected and that I CANNOT overcome this oh-so-great-trial alone this time, I am here being raw and spilling my heart out on a GoFundMe page.I terribly miss my husband and the kids their father (and vice versa). My youngest son was born here during this border lock down and he still has not been able to meet his dad. We video call at least 3 times a day but it’s just not the same. Baby is 5 months now and my poor husband has missed out on a lot of firsts. He can roll over now, and already taking first foods. It just breaks my heart that up until now my husband has not been able to hold his son. He is totally missing out on how fast our boys are growing.My dad (also in Samoa) who has Parkinson’s disease is literally dying to see his grandkids. His condition has worsened because he misses my kids' presence in his life. My mother and husband who are caring for my ill father need a break. They need me to help out; need the kids, my kids, to light up their days. We just really need to be home right now. What can I say more?Never in a million years, did I ever think I would come to this point in my life, but here I am.I need you. We need you.If you are still reading, thank you for making it this far. Anything helps us get one step closer to reuniting with loved ones. We are and will be forever grateful for your kindness. Thanks.