Hi, we are Sam Carlson and Linda McGinnis. We are raising funds for the Family of Enwa Asende, whose house burned down on January 31, 2023.

They lost everything, including lots of important documents linked to their emigration to the United States.

Enwa is originally from the troubled area of Eastern Congo. He arrived in the United States in 2011 after 14 years in refugee camps in Tanzania and Mozambique. He came as a single father with 10 dependents, including two orphan girls he agreed to bring as their legal guardians. His wife died shortly before they left Mozambique in a car accident. For 11 years Enwa has worked steadily at City Market in Burlington.

He remarried a few years ago to a wonderful woman named Alzira (who also works at City Market). His family members are now American citizens, with one daughter in college.

Enwa has been renting the same house in Winooski, Vermont for the past 11 years. The fire destroyed everything, including bedding, clothing, furniture, kitchen appliances, television, phones, computers, etc. Unfortunately, he did not have renter's insurance.

Any funds raised will be used to replace these items burned in the fire, and to help Enwa secure new rental housing (not easy in the Burlington-Winooski market).

We guarantee that these funds will be used carefully and wisely. Thank you so much for your kindness and consideration. Sam and Linda