Syrian refugee family in San Diego
Donation protected
My name is Laura and I live in Carlsbad. I kept hearing the horror stories and felt helpless to do anything. My grandparents came here from Syria. I kept thinking that if rolls were reversed, this could be us. I learned of the Syrian Refugee Network through Nextdoor.com.
We adopted this family of 7 who was living in Damascas where the government had a big presence. They could not be a part of the uprising. The bombs started falling and the kids were quickly loaded into the car. Shrapnel hit the father in the face, but he is okay. They had to live 3 years in the camps in Jordan waiting for approval to come to the states. It was against the law to work or drive. They left Damascas just before the village was gassed.
The 5 kids are 8-14 and are eager to learn English and love school. The parents are humble and do not ask for much. The father can only find very part time work. We are hiring him to do handyman work as we can. Their bills exceed their income. The mother is a very good cook and we are thinking of launching a supper club where we have feasts and share stories. We have been paying for things they really need. If we had resources, we could get them English tutoring and help sustain them while they adjust. They were told by the Assad regime that Americans were terrible and they always tell us how much they love Americans. They want to assimilate. The parents are leaving it up to the girls as to whether they wear the hijab. They want to take no aid and we have "given them a few fish, while they are learning to fish."
This fund will make sure they have basics for a few months as they get proficient in English and start being self-supportive. When things like tires and car insurance come up, they have no way to pay for them. I see them every week and take them the things they need. I will be receiving the money and dispersing it to them for the expenses they can't cover.
Any way you can help would be wonderful. I asked if a family photo was permitted and the mother requested that I not do that. These are wonderful people who are full of gratitude.
Laura Ember
We adopted this family of 7 who was living in Damascas where the government had a big presence. They could not be a part of the uprising. The bombs started falling and the kids were quickly loaded into the car. Shrapnel hit the father in the face, but he is okay. They had to live 3 years in the camps in Jordan waiting for approval to come to the states. It was against the law to work or drive. They left Damascas just before the village was gassed.
The 5 kids are 8-14 and are eager to learn English and love school. The parents are humble and do not ask for much. The father can only find very part time work. We are hiring him to do handyman work as we can. Their bills exceed their income. The mother is a very good cook and we are thinking of launching a supper club where we have feasts and share stories. We have been paying for things they really need. If we had resources, we could get them English tutoring and help sustain them while they adjust. They were told by the Assad regime that Americans were terrible and they always tell us how much they love Americans. They want to assimilate. The parents are leaving it up to the girls as to whether they wear the hijab. They want to take no aid and we have "given them a few fish, while they are learning to fish."
This fund will make sure they have basics for a few months as they get proficient in English and start being self-supportive. When things like tires and car insurance come up, they have no way to pay for them. I see them every week and take them the things they need. I will be receiving the money and dispersing it to them for the expenses they can't cover.
Any way you can help would be wonderful. I asked if a family photo was permitted and the mother requested that I not do that. These are wonderful people who are full of gratitude.
Laura Ember
Organizer
Laura Ember
Organizer
Carlsbad, CA