Saba's Family Fire Fund
Donation protected
On December 29, Saba Ismail and her family were struck by calamity: a fire in their building destroyed their apartment in Brooklyn. They left the burning building in slippers, realizing when they were outside that important documents were still inside. Thankfully, fire fighters accompanied them to retrieve them. In one fell swoop, the family lost its home and most of their possessions. The fire has scattered them, they are now taking refuge among friends, as they work to rebuild their lives.
Saba is no stranger to hardship. A Pakistani feminist and peace activist, she emigrated to the United States a year ago after receiving death threats at home. She joined 3 of her 5 siblings in Brooklyn and has spent her time continuing to work for the empowerment of young women as she waits for work authorization.
Her track record here is impressive: she is a sought after speaker at the United Nations and the National Security Council, and works for Aware Girls, the organization she co-founded with her sister at the age of 15.
Saba has been appointed by the UN General Secretary as a member of the Advisory Group for the Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security. She was awarded the Chirac Prize for Conflict prevention in recognition of her work for peace, non-violence and conflict Prevention in Pakistan. Foreign Policy Magazine recognized her as one of 100 Leading Global Thinkers of 2013. She is among the “30 under 30 Campaign” by the “National Endowment for Democracy”.
Unfortunately, this work has been sidelined by the fire. Uprooted, stripped of resources, and with work status caught in the machine of bureaucracy - it will be a challenge for her to rebuild her life. I have gotten to know Saba well this past year and hope we can come together as a community to help her and her family replace clothes, furniture and housewares and other essentials.
$5000 within the next month will help the family back on its feet, and help Saba get back quickly to her important work for peace and gender equality. Once the family has an apartment, in-kind donations will also be accepted.
Thank you for your help!
Saba is no stranger to hardship. A Pakistani feminist and peace activist, she emigrated to the United States a year ago after receiving death threats at home. She joined 3 of her 5 siblings in Brooklyn and has spent her time continuing to work for the empowerment of young women as she waits for work authorization.
Her track record here is impressive: she is a sought after speaker at the United Nations and the National Security Council, and works for Aware Girls, the organization she co-founded with her sister at the age of 15.
Saba has been appointed by the UN General Secretary as a member of the Advisory Group for the Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security. She was awarded the Chirac Prize for Conflict prevention in recognition of her work for peace, non-violence and conflict Prevention in Pakistan. Foreign Policy Magazine recognized her as one of 100 Leading Global Thinkers of 2013. She is among the “30 under 30 Campaign” by the “National Endowment for Democracy”.
Unfortunately, this work has been sidelined by the fire. Uprooted, stripped of resources, and with work status caught in the machine of bureaucracy - it will be a challenge for her to rebuild her life. I have gotten to know Saba well this past year and hope we can come together as a community to help her and her family replace clothes, furniture and housewares and other essentials.
$5000 within the next month will help the family back on its feet, and help Saba get back quickly to her important work for peace and gender equality. Once the family has an apartment, in-kind donations will also be accepted.
Thank you for your help!
Organizer and beneficiary
Jaana Rehnstrom
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
Saba Ismail
Beneficiary