After more than 3 long years, Padma and Rasheed are preparing to be reunited in Australia!

Padma and Rasheed's love story has traversed many continents, from meeting and journeying in India and getting married in Kashmir, to a wedding reception in his home of South Africa, and now finally they have the possibility to start a new chapter here in Australia. Currently Rasheed is on the last leg of this long journey, in Perth completing a compulsory stay in Australian hotel quarantine.

For anyone that knows them, and their love story, I'm sure you will be thrilled to hear this wonderful and long awaited news! If like me, you're thinking OMG this is amazing!!! How can we celebrate??? How can I help????

Please read on....

These two have endured a lot to get to this point. Rasheed's visa was granted after more than 2 years of processing, and his arrival in Australia was delayed further with a painful wait for a travel exemption (there were many unsuccessful attempts).

And, it is no secret that immigration costs are expensive, and Padma and Rasheed have together already invested many thousands of dollars to get to this point. However, the Covid-19 curveball has meant expensive flights and an unavoidable stay in hotel quarantine, adding significantly to the costs of their reunification.

By collectively alleviating the burden of this final chunk of investment in their future, your gifts will support this beautiful duo to (finally) start their life together without unnecessary financial strain as they plan for a future together in the same country.

All funds raised will hopefully cover the costs of Rasheed's flights from Johannesburg and the costs of Australian hotel quarantine. We're estimating this at about $7,000 AUD.

If we manage to raise more than $7,000, any extra funds will be used on essentials to help them get settled and hopefully directed to a modest wedding ceremony over the summer (or whenever a relaxing of covid restrictions allow) for a celebration of their love with friends and family in Australia.

It took a bit of persuasion for these two very humble and generous people to allow me to set up this fundraiser, so please don't let it go to waste!!