Help My Best Friend Reunite With Her Family in Tanzania

DISCLAIMER: DO NOT contact/mention anything, even if its warmhearted to Erica, she doesn't know about this!!

As many of you know, Erica is more than just my best friend—she’s my sister in every way that matters. We’ve been through SO much together, and to tell you the truth, I don’t know where I’d be without her. But right now, she’s going through something incredibly tough. Erica has been struggling, and despite her hesitance, she’s recently reached out for help. I speak about this because I have struggled with specifically with my mental health for years, and she is one of the reasons I am still here. My best friend hasn’t been able to be herself; it’s heartbreaking to watch her carry this weight.

What makes this even harder is that Erica has always had one wish: to travel and reunite with her family, where her mom is from and where most of her family, including her beloved grandfather (Babu), still live. Babu is very sick, and the bond they share is one of the most beautiful I’ve ever witnessed. He means everything to her, but Erica almost never gets to visit her family because of the distance and the cost.

I’ve gone back and forth about creating this GoFundMe because, honestly, Erica has no idea I’m doing this. She’s always been the one to give and never asks for anything in return, and she might even feel uncomfortable about accepting help. But I know in my heart that this is the right thing to do. I love her so much, I would die for her, and I have the purest intentions behind this—she deserves to be with her family during this incredibly hard time, and I want to do everything I can to make that happen for her.

I’ve been there. As many of you know, I’ve lost a lot of family, most significantly my mom in the blink of an eye just a few years ago, and my Nana, who was my entire world. I had the chance to say goodbye to Nana, and that’s what brings me peace every day. I never got that chance with my mom, and I live with that ache daily. I don’t want Erica to live with that same regret. She needs to see Babu, to hold his hand, and to say goodbye if it comes to that.

The flight to Tanzania is around $1500-$1700, and while we’ve been saving, making sacrifices, waiting until the summer may be too late. We have such little time on this planet, and if I had the funds, I would send her on a flight tomorrow. I’m asking, from the bottom of my heart, for ANY support you can offer to help her get home. Even a penny is better than no penny. Every dollar brings her closer to a place of peace, love, and healing, and I can’t thank you enough for anything you can give. XO