- H
I’d like you to meet my new friend, Toba.
I recently started volunteering with World Relief, a wonderful organization that helps place refugees fleeing violence, oppression and extreme poverty (amongst other things) in countries where they can begin to rebuild their lives. I was lucky enough to be matched with Toba, a 25-year-old from Afghanistan.
A little about Toba.
Toba lost her father to war as a baby. Tragic, yes, but an even bigger problem because women have no value in Afghanistan. A family without a male protector is a family without respect. Women rarely receive education, it’s not socially acceptable for them to work, they have no rights, and they are subject to strong social control by the men in their family. Without a male in the home for protection and economic/social support, families are subject to abuse and exploitation.
To make matters worse, Toba contracted Polio at the age of 5 years old, leaving her paralyzed in one leg, unable to walk, and completely ostracized by her community. While a woman without a male relative as head of the household is fair game for harassment, a disabled person ranks even lower on the ladder. They are not considered of any value and often abused and exploited in every possible way. Toba encountered physical and mental harassment, abuse and degrading treatment whenever she left the house.
When Toba’s older sister fled from a forced marriage in 2009, Toba and her mother had to go into hiding for years. Without family ties, they were no longer respected by others and had to move many times. Toba eventually fled to Turkey, where she claimed asylum. She was placed in Aurora, Illinois last spring with just a handful of English words and no friends or family to speak of.
Because of her disability, she was moved into a supportive living community, which is no doubt an improvement, but she is living with people who are several years her senior and mentally handicapped as well. She is excited to learn English and aspires to learn how to drive and work, but as you can imagine, the long road there can be very isolating. She is working through many challenges, like learning how to take the bus in her wheelchair in what’s soon to be one of Chicago’s famous winters to get to her English classes.
She spends almost all of her time alone in her small apartment, which has been assembled with hand-me-down necessities and nothing more. Despite it all, Toba maintains a positive attitude.
I would like to ask you to help me make Toba’s apartment feel more like home. A comfortable place where she can finally relax without worry. A place where she can study and learn to create the life she deserves.
How the money will be used:
Furniture:
Rugs
TV Stand
Desk & Chair
Curtains
Sofa
Small Dining Set
Dresser
Storage Cabinets
Bedding
Small Kitchen Appliances
Decor (Framed Photos)
Any leftover money will be used to cover a dental bill, some winter clothing, and maybe even driver’s lessons at Marianjoy, which specializes in driver rehabilitation for people with disabilities.
Goal: $5,000
If you would like to donate a specific item, please contact me!
I recently started volunteering with World Relief, a wonderful organization that helps place refugees fleeing violence, oppression and extreme poverty (amongst other things) in countries where they can begin to rebuild their lives. I was lucky enough to be matched with Toba, a 25-year-old from Afghanistan.
A little about Toba.
Toba lost her father to war as a baby. Tragic, yes, but an even bigger problem because women have no value in Afghanistan. A family without a male protector is a family without respect. Women rarely receive education, it’s not socially acceptable for them to work, they have no rights, and they are subject to strong social control by the men in their family. Without a male in the home for protection and economic/social support, families are subject to abuse and exploitation.
To make matters worse, Toba contracted Polio at the age of 5 years old, leaving her paralyzed in one leg, unable to walk, and completely ostracized by her community. While a woman without a male relative as head of the household is fair game for harassment, a disabled person ranks even lower on the ladder. They are not considered of any value and often abused and exploited in every possible way. Toba encountered physical and mental harassment, abuse and degrading treatment whenever she left the house.
When Toba’s older sister fled from a forced marriage in 2009, Toba and her mother had to go into hiding for years. Without family ties, they were no longer respected by others and had to move many times. Toba eventually fled to Turkey, where she claimed asylum. She was placed in Aurora, Illinois last spring with just a handful of English words and no friends or family to speak of.
Because of her disability, she was moved into a supportive living community, which is no doubt an improvement, but she is living with people who are several years her senior and mentally handicapped as well. She is excited to learn English and aspires to learn how to drive and work, but as you can imagine, the long road there can be very isolating. She is working through many challenges, like learning how to take the bus in her wheelchair in what’s soon to be one of Chicago’s famous winters to get to her English classes.
She spends almost all of her time alone in her small apartment, which has been assembled with hand-me-down necessities and nothing more. Despite it all, Toba maintains a positive attitude.
I would like to ask you to help me make Toba’s apartment feel more like home. A comfortable place where she can finally relax without worry. A place where she can study and learn to create the life she deserves.
How the money will be used:
Furniture:
Rugs
TV Stand
Desk & Chair
Curtains
Sofa
Small Dining Set
Dresser
Storage Cabinets
Bedding
Small Kitchen Appliances
Decor (Framed Photos)
Any leftover money will be used to cover a dental bill, some winter clothing, and maybe even driver’s lessons at Marianjoy, which specializes in driver rehabilitation for people with disabilities.
Goal: $5,000
If you would like to donate a specific item, please contact me!