Hi, my name is Marie and I am writing on behalf of entire community who is trying to bring part of our family home.

The Rahimi's came to America as refugees in August of 2021. A family of 13, though they are 14 now as mama was pregnant when they arrived. The family is, Rehaani (2), Ilyas (4), Kainat (5), Mohammad (7), Noorzia (9), Abdul (10), Haseena (12), Haroon (13), Mohammad Zama (15), Inam Gul (16), Samar (17), Wahid Gul (22) & mom Islam bibi and dad Jabar. Two of the children are deaf/non-verbal.

They came to our Albuquerque neighborhood in October of the same year and within a few short months became family. Our neighborhood was forever changed. We witnessed this family who had witnessed horrific crimes and war, enjoy life and thrive. They loved school, the schools loved them. Santa Fe School for the deaf commuted daily to p/u and drop off Mohammad (15). Kainat (5) was able to ride the bus to and from the school for the deaf in Albuquerque.

Say what you want about Albuquerque, but the support of this family was unwavering and endless. Everyone wanted to see them thrive in their new land.

The Rahimis embraced everything that America and our neighborhood had to offer. They were able to take a ride in a hot air balloon, join soccer teams (EVEN one of the girls!), see the state fair, see an Isotopes baseball game, ride bicycles to school, visit an animal sanctuary, their very FIRST birthday party (they didn't have birthdays back home), block parties and line dancing and lemonade stands. They embraced it all.

Unbeknownst to us, they were not making enough money here and they didn't share that with us. They never wanted to inconvenience us, and they said nothing. So, after nearly two years with us they broke the news that they were MOVING TO VIRGINIA. They had been told by senior family members who were also refugees that they would have more opportunity in Virginia and they needed to leave. Despite our best efforts and sooooo many tears, they left us on June 2nd, 2023. It was the longest, saddest drive to the train station, it was the longest wait for the train. We were gutted watching our children chase that train until their legs gave out beneath them and their sobs couldn't be calmed. It felt like the worst day ever. We hoped that they would have all good things when they arrived, we hoped that they would find what they were looking for, we hoped the children would thrive - but they did not.

They spent every penny they had getting there and finding an apartment. Then they couldn't find jobs, the schools were not supportive, the apartment is covered in mold... the list of misfortunes goes on and on.

In their words as best translated by a mutual close friend, 'it's like comparing rubbish to gold'.

So, they are coming home!!!

They are coming home to a neighborhood that has already found them a home and jobs. They are coming home to a neighborhood who will help enroll them in the right schools. They are coming home to Inez Elementary where the teachers miss them like crazy. They are coming home to a neighborhood of children who have saved their bicycles and their soccer balls and their fancy dresses in the hopes that they would return.

They are coming HOME!!!

Any funds donated will go to securing their travel back to Albuquerque, securing their home (first, last, deposit...). Anything left will go to getting them settled in a new home and groceries, etc.

Please help us bring our family home.