Sharing the love-family of 6
Donation protected
Our names are Ricardo and Noelle Vitor and through an organization known as "Hearts for Refugees" (www.hearts4refugees.org) here in San Diego, we have been paired with a Syrian Refugee Family in need. Our role is to be a support to this family and to equip them as they settle into their new lives. Family X* moved to the United States 6 months ago after they had been through an extensive (we mean, extensive) background check in Jordan. where they lived in a refugee camp for 2 years. Before that, they had a long journey out of their homeland escaping persecution for simply living where they did.
Family X has six members, two parents and four beautiful children: 17, 12 and 6-year-old boys and a 13-year-old girl. In our first meeting, the 6-year-old entertained our 2-year-old by doing magic tricks with a toy wand. Their oldest is desperate to learn English and was excited to practice with us, even in our first meeting. Despite all of the hardships that this family has endured, they welcomed us to their home with generous arms, truly caring about making connections with their new friends.
Family X's needs:
Many of this family's needs are financial. Aid to those with refugee status diminishes substantially after three months. At the six-month mark of residency, refugees must begin to repay the government for their airplane fare to this country. In addition, the financial aid that refugees get is based on a national statistic and does not does not reflect the high rent and cost of living in San Diego. All of that being said, this family is incredibly resourceful and has survived well with tight budgets and making sacrifices.
Here are the major identified needs:
Father: needs a driver's license (with accompanying fees and driving lessons in his own language, this is about $200). Also, he needs replacement parts for his car so the car will function (an approx. $600).
13-year-old daughter: While in Jordan, she had braces put on and was told to have them taken off in a year. Now, with braces still on, it has been over a year and she has developed tremendous pain in her mouth when eating, talking or even smiling. We are exploring different orthodontists around the community that may give a consult (if San Diego friends have any suggestions, please let us know). When she does sit down with an orthodontists, it will have an associated cost. Any amount given in this arena will contribute to her longstanding dental care.
Older children: They are in high school with a full class schedule. They are in need of a computer in their home to complete class assignments (a cost of about $450-$750).
The children need jackets and new shoes (approx. $320).
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Wants:
Mother would like a meat grinder ($75), two floor lamps for their apartment ($30) and hooks for the wall ($15).
6-year-old boy: dreams of having a foot-to-floor ride-on car ($70).
13-year-old girl: loves doing hair and make-up. Would like to have a hair straightener ($50)
The older boys: want bikes to get to school and love anything to do with soccer.
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Some quick facts about Syria:
- Syria has been in a civil war since 2011 when President Bashar al-Assad came into power.
- Since that time, 11 million Syrians have been displaced (source: mercycorps.org).
- More than 1000 Syrian refugees have arrived in San Diego County since May 2016. San Diego is now among the most welcoming cities in the United States for Syrian refugees (source: hearts4refugees.org).
If this touches your heart as it did ours, we hope you will consider giving in any amount that you can to this family. All funds generated will go directly to this family.
***We chose not to share the family's name or pictures of the family on this site as we want to protect the family's intregrity to the best of our ability. We'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the family directly. You may contact us through facebook.
Thank you.
Family X has six members, two parents and four beautiful children: 17, 12 and 6-year-old boys and a 13-year-old girl. In our first meeting, the 6-year-old entertained our 2-year-old by doing magic tricks with a toy wand. Their oldest is desperate to learn English and was excited to practice with us, even in our first meeting. Despite all of the hardships that this family has endured, they welcomed us to their home with generous arms, truly caring about making connections with their new friends.
Family X's needs:
Many of this family's needs are financial. Aid to those with refugee status diminishes substantially after three months. At the six-month mark of residency, refugees must begin to repay the government for their airplane fare to this country. In addition, the financial aid that refugees get is based on a national statistic and does not does not reflect the high rent and cost of living in San Diego. All of that being said, this family is incredibly resourceful and has survived well with tight budgets and making sacrifices.
Here are the major identified needs:
Father: needs a driver's license (with accompanying fees and driving lessons in his own language, this is about $200). Also, he needs replacement parts for his car so the car will function (an approx. $600).
13-year-old daughter: While in Jordan, she had braces put on and was told to have them taken off in a year. Now, with braces still on, it has been over a year and she has developed tremendous pain in her mouth when eating, talking or even smiling. We are exploring different orthodontists around the community that may give a consult (if San Diego friends have any suggestions, please let us know). When she does sit down with an orthodontists, it will have an associated cost. Any amount given in this arena will contribute to her longstanding dental care.
Older children: They are in high school with a full class schedule. They are in need of a computer in their home to complete class assignments (a cost of about $450-$750).
The children need jackets and new shoes (approx. $320).
--
Wants:
Mother would like a meat grinder ($75), two floor lamps for their apartment ($30) and hooks for the wall ($15).
6-year-old boy: dreams of having a foot-to-floor ride-on car ($70).
13-year-old girl: loves doing hair and make-up. Would like to have a hair straightener ($50)
The older boys: want bikes to get to school and love anything to do with soccer.
---
Some quick facts about Syria:
- Syria has been in a civil war since 2011 when President Bashar al-Assad came into power.
- Since that time, 11 million Syrians have been displaced (source: mercycorps.org).
- More than 1000 Syrian refugees have arrived in San Diego County since May 2016. San Diego is now among the most welcoming cities in the United States for Syrian refugees (source: hearts4refugees.org).
If this touches your heart as it did ours, we hope you will consider giving in any amount that you can to this family. All funds generated will go directly to this family.
***We chose not to share the family's name or pictures of the family on this site as we want to protect the family's intregrity to the best of our ability. We'd be happy to answer any questions you have about the family directly. You may contact us through facebook.
Thank you.
Organizer
Ricardo Vitor
Organizer
San Diego, CA
