Hi, my name is Victoria and my friend Maryam needs our help.

Maryam and I met through the International Women’s Resource Center (IWRC), which helps refugee women learn English. We have been meeting every week for over a year and have developed a great friendship beyond our student/teacher relationship. Maryam and her husband Salim come from Egypt and have a beautiful family: Hamid (16), Omar (12), and twin sisters Sara and Samira (5). They arrived in the US a couple of years ago and live in Orange County.

The family was slowly building its new life in California, until bad luck struck a few weeks ago: their car got broken into and the thieves stole the catalytic converter, stalling the vehicle.

The car is not only the family’s main means of transportation, it is also Salim’s work vehicle. Salim is a delivery driver and uses his personal car to deliver all kinds of things we are all ordering online everyday (pharmacy prescriptions, food, packages…). Without his car, Salim cannot work.

The theft has created a snowball effect that the family is struggling to stop. Replacing the converter would cost around $3000, and with no income coming in, bills are piling up and rent is now past due. Maryam found an eviction notice taped to her door a couple of days ago, stating she has to pay her rent in the next 3 days.

Maryam is understandably very worried and doesn’t know what to do. Her level of English has much improved since I first met her (she is a great student!), but she is still quite shy, especially when it comes to asking for help.

So let’s help Maryam and Salim get their car fixed so Salim can resume working and get the family back on its feet as soon as possible. Let’s also make sure they can pay their October rent so the eviction notice gets dropped.

Here is what I can personally tell you about Maryam and her family:

Maryam is a wonderful mother and a great cook! She is very generous and caring, and I feel lucky to have her in my life and to call her my friend! I haven’t had the chance to meet Salim in person yet, but I know he is a hardworking, loving father and husband.

Hamid is 16 years old and he is a great kid! He cares deeply for his family and is always ready to lend a hand.

Omar is 12 years old and has the best smile! He is the sweetest and best translator, helping whenever Maryam and I are struggling to communicate. Omar doesn’t like to wear his glasses because he thinks they make him look like a nerd ;).

Sara and Samira are the cutest 5 year old twin sisters in the world, as you can see in the picture. They are cuddly and very funny!

On behalf of Maryam and her family, thank you so much for your help and support!

Lastly, if you want to learn more about IWRC and are interested in volunteering with them, here is their info https://www.iwrcenter.org/. They (we!) do amazing work and deserve all our support!

With love and gratitude,

Victoria