Gypsy pastor funeral and family funds
Donation protected
Today we lost a close family friend, Jose Pinto Sousa, to Covid 19. Jose was a gypsy pastor who called my father, brother. My father met him, in Portugal in the '80s', and they remained close friends, bible study partners, and lunch buddies till my fathers death a few years ago.
Jose suffered from diabetes, and started feeling numb in the feet, and blurred vision, a few weeks ago. Thinking it was diabetes related he checked into the hospital in Lisbon, and was diagnosed with Covid 19. He died about a week later at 57 years old.
He leaves behind his widow, Philomena 56yrs, and four children ranging from 33 to 21. He also leaves a great vacancy in the Portuguese gypsy community. Being one of the only literate people in a low literacy community, Jose served not only as a spiritual advisor, but also a go between the gypsies and the government.
His family makes a meager living selling clothes at the outdoor markets. However, with current covid restrictions, the family has not been able to make any money at all. They are devastated by their loss, and also terrified by what the future will bring for them. His wife is illiterate, and the kids have no education past 4th grade, except for the eldest who made it to 9th.
They cannot bury him till they secure funds for a burial, as is gypsy tradition.
I know everyone is in need right now, but if you are lucky enough to still be employed, please find it in your heart to donate. Even the smallest amount will help them, as they are a family that generally survives on just a few hundred Euro a month.
Jose suffered from diabetes, and started feeling numb in the feet, and blurred vision, a few weeks ago. Thinking it was diabetes related he checked into the hospital in Lisbon, and was diagnosed with Covid 19. He died about a week later at 57 years old.
He leaves behind his widow, Philomena 56yrs, and four children ranging from 33 to 21. He also leaves a great vacancy in the Portuguese gypsy community. Being one of the only literate people in a low literacy community, Jose served not only as a spiritual advisor, but also a go between the gypsies and the government.
His family makes a meager living selling clothes at the outdoor markets. However, with current covid restrictions, the family has not been able to make any money at all. They are devastated by their loss, and also terrified by what the future will bring for them. His wife is illiterate, and the kids have no education past 4th grade, except for the eldest who made it to 9th.
They cannot bury him till they secure funds for a burial, as is gypsy tradition.
I know everyone is in need right now, but if you are lucky enough to still be employed, please find it in your heart to donate. Even the smallest amount will help them, as they are a family that generally survives on just a few hundred Euro a month.
Organizer
Hikari Tezuka
Organizer
Phoenicia, NY