Hi, my name is Arafa Ahmed and I’m the owner of my small family business, La Mama Restaurant. Winters are always a bit slow, but this year has been especially hard. Ever since ICE touched down in our area, people have been too scared to come out, and business has dropped off more than ever before. My heart goes out to all the lives that have been lost and to everyone struggling right now—the world feels like a very hard place.

Because of everything happening, I’ve started to go into debt and haven’t been able to pay my bills. I even thought about closing down, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do it. La Mama Restaurant is the only source of income supporting my family, and I have five kids who depend on me. Things are not easy at all, but I’m doing everything I can to keep going.

My goal is to reach enough to cover the rent and electricity for the restaurant, and I am more than grateful for every donation, no matter the size. Your support means the world to me and my family, and I hope you’ll help us keep our doors open during these difficult times.