Hi! My name is Hedy. I am an American-Egyptian currently based in California and looking to find my way back home to Cairo, Egypt. I moved to the US almost three years ago to start a job with a non-profit working with refugees and immigrants. Before completing two years, I moved to California for a new job. Life was good, right?! Except about two to three weeks before my move, my mother passed away after a long battle with autoimmune diseases, and I had to travel back to Egypt for the funeral service and shortly thereafter travel back to Michigan to move to California.

Shortly after my move to California, the new presidential administration was inaugurated and the issued executive orders in January 2025 have adversely affected my place of employment. 80% of the workforce nationwide was laid off due to loss of funding. While I was not personally laid off, I was eventually forced to resign given that my health deteriorated significantly and my grief over my beloved departed mother without a community or support system has become unmanageable.

I have tested positive for mold toxicity, and none of the treatment is covered under insurance. On top of all of this, my dog has been struggling with seizures and big medical bills for her too!

To move back to Egypt, I must pay almost $5000 in combined medical bills between my dog’s and mine. I must also issue travel papers for her, sell my car, and cover rent for the next two months. I also still need to pay for my own flight back to Cairo.

I understand my position may seem privileged, and I can’t doubt that I am, but even sometimes privileged people need that bit of additional support in difficult times like these. I appreciate any support you can extend to me and my fur baby, Bowie, to make it back home safely and free of any debts.