I’m reaching out with a heavy heart, as my family and I are enduring a devastating crisis that has severely impacted us. We are refugees who survived the war 15 years ago, and after everything we’ve already been through, we are now facing an unimaginable loss once again, this time in the heart of the ongoing violence in Congo.

Our home, which we worked so hard to build after arriving in the United States, has been destroyed. M23 rebels, who continue to spread terror across Congo, ambushed our house, taking everything we have: our furniture, clothing, important documents, and personal belongings. The destruction didn’t end there. They completely wrecked the inside of the house, tearing down doors, destroying the floors, and leaving nothing of what was once a symbol of our hope, resilience, and hard work.

This house was more than just a structure to us; it was the culmination of years of sacrifice. My mother worked tirelessly, sending every penny she earned back home to create a place of safety and stability; a place where we could feel secure, heal from the trauma of being refugees, and begin to rebuild our lives. Every brick was laid with love and hope for a better future, a future we were building for our family.

But now, as the situation in Congo worsens, our relatives back home have lost their homes as well. The M23 rebels are not only destroying houses but are also occupying them, taking over the homes of the families they’ve displaced. Our relatives, who had once found shelter in our house, now find themselves without a place to go, displaced and fearful of what lies ahead.

Rebuilding our house is no longer an option. Our priority now is to help our family in Congo find a safe place to live. The funds we raise through this campaign will be used to directly support and help our family secure a safe place to live and begin the process of rebuilding their lives. We are committed to ensuring that they have the shelter, food, and support they need to survive during this difficult time.

Every donation, no matter how small, will make a world of difference in helping us restore a sense of stability and hope for our loved ones, giving them a chance at a new beginning after this unimaginable loss.

Please, if you can, help us rebuild our family’s future. Thank you so much for all your support.