Farhiya Haji has been my friend since she was twelve years old and a recent immigrant to America. Her family fled Somalia and spent six years in a Kenyan refugee camp before coming to the United States, determined to build a better life. Through hard work and hope, her parents achieved their dreams of education and home ownership for their family. Tragically, Farhiya’s father passed away just three days after they received the keys to their new home. Despite this loss, Farhiya and her many siblings all finished high school and pursued further education in various fields.

Farhiya’s tenacity shines through in everything she does. While raising her five children—one of whom, Hasenath, was disabled by a severe brain injury at age three—she earned an Early Childhood Associate’s Degree and a Medical Administration Certificate. The children’s father has also passed away, leaving Farhiya as the sole provider. Last year, she worked tirelessly to buy a home for her children, believing it was the key to their future. But recently, the family has faced a series of hardships: Hasenath has been suffering repeated seizures, Farhiya herself was hospitalized, and then they were hit with a massive $3,000 water bill due to a leak she didn’t know about. Her usual water bills were normally $90, so this unexpected debt is overwhelming.

We are asking for your help to provide hope and a bit of relief in this difficult time for the Haji family. Funds raised will go directly to pay the water bill, and any amount above that will help with health and food costs. It is my deepest honor to promise you that every donation will make a tremendous difference. Together, we can do much good.