Save Rateb
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Rateb told me if is family doesn't get here, he will die. I asked him what he meant by that. His response was, "I only have half a heart now, I cry everyday, every morning, I am anxious, I am alone. Please Tracey, I will die if I don't see my family again."
It has been 4 long years.
As he spoke to me, I watched his tears fall from his face. I watched his body tense up. He seemed so helpless, so vulnerable. so child like.
All I want to do is make his life a little easier. I can only comfort him temporarily. The only thing I can say to him is I will try my best to help you. But in the end it will be up to the people.
When I said to him, what would happen if your family couldn't come? In between sobs he said, "I will die".
He is 19 years old now. I can't imagine being away from my children and family for 4 years. I can't begin to imagine being in a foreign country, alone, scared, barely speaking English.
Helping Rateb get his family here is on my mind all the time. I am hopeful that somewhere, somehow people will reach out and help.
I am asking for everyone to donate to Rateb's family Fund. Even $5. Every dollar adds up.
Rateb is my employee. He works in my Cafe in Victoria BC.
He looks to me for hope. I keep on telling him I am trying everyday. I have even reached out to other businesses. I have reached out to my customers.
But it is not enough.
I need to raise the money quickly before his brother is forced into war at the end of year.
I used to think we need to help our own instead of others first. But we are not at war. We are not starving. Most of us own houses. Most of us have jobs. Most of have families. Most of us have friends.
Rateb had nobody really, even though, he has me.
He was sent over to Victoria BC by the UN. He was given an apartment, clothes on his back, food in his mouth. And I have given him a job.
But want he really needs is his family. He needs a family to love him. He needs his mother and father.
Rateb says:
"We are 8 family members. Our ages are 49, 40, me, 17,14, 10 and two younger ones. The war wasted our house. I am worried about the war, my family. I don't want to lose my brother. He is going to war at the end of the year. I want my family to have peace. I want my family with me."
"My father gave me money to go to Lebanon. A man gave me a job. That man did horrible things to me. Things that are unspeakable. "
"When that happened the UN picked me up and brought me to Canada."
"That was when I was 14 years old. I am now 19 years old."
"I have not seen my family since then."
My Hopes and Dreams:
"Bring my family to Canada. For my heart to not be in half. For my family not to die".
"For the people of Syria to be helped." "And no more war."
Please help me help him.
I have set up a Family Trust Fund at our bank. All proceeds will go directly to his family and for whatever his family needs when they get here.
I am a mother; I am a business owner; I am Rateb's friend.
Remember $5 adds up. Anything is very much appreciated.
Thank you.
It has been 4 long years.
As he spoke to me, I watched his tears fall from his face. I watched his body tense up. He seemed so helpless, so vulnerable. so child like.
All I want to do is make his life a little easier. I can only comfort him temporarily. The only thing I can say to him is I will try my best to help you. But in the end it will be up to the people.
When I said to him, what would happen if your family couldn't come? In between sobs he said, "I will die".
He is 19 years old now. I can't imagine being away from my children and family for 4 years. I can't begin to imagine being in a foreign country, alone, scared, barely speaking English.
Helping Rateb get his family here is on my mind all the time. I am hopeful that somewhere, somehow people will reach out and help.
I am asking for everyone to donate to Rateb's family Fund. Even $5. Every dollar adds up.
Rateb is my employee. He works in my Cafe in Victoria BC.
He looks to me for hope. I keep on telling him I am trying everyday. I have even reached out to other businesses. I have reached out to my customers.
But it is not enough.
I need to raise the money quickly before his brother is forced into war at the end of year.
I used to think we need to help our own instead of others first. But we are not at war. We are not starving. Most of us own houses. Most of us have jobs. Most of have families. Most of us have friends.
Rateb had nobody really, even though, he has me.
He was sent over to Victoria BC by the UN. He was given an apartment, clothes on his back, food in his mouth. And I have given him a job.
But want he really needs is his family. He needs a family to love him. He needs his mother and father.
Rateb says:
"We are 8 family members. Our ages are 49, 40, me, 17,14, 10 and two younger ones. The war wasted our house. I am worried about the war, my family. I don't want to lose my brother. He is going to war at the end of the year. I want my family to have peace. I want my family with me."
"My father gave me money to go to Lebanon. A man gave me a job. That man did horrible things to me. Things that are unspeakable. "
"When that happened the UN picked me up and brought me to Canada."
"That was when I was 14 years old. I am now 19 years old."
"I have not seen my family since then."
My Hopes and Dreams:
"Bring my family to Canada. For my heart to not be in half. For my family not to die".
"For the people of Syria to be helped." "And no more war."
Please help me help him.
I have set up a Family Trust Fund at our bank. All proceeds will go directly to his family and for whatever his family needs when they get here.
I am a mother; I am a business owner; I am Rateb's friend.
Remember $5 adds up. Anything is very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Organizer
Tracey Higgins
Organizer
