Esam and Raida's GoFundMe

Hi, my name is Esam Ahmed, the son of late Hafiz Ahmed and Shathe Ahmed, and the big brother and now guardian of Raida Ahmed.

On February 10th, my mom called to ask if I was coming home to go with them to our new house and, if not, to eat the kebabs she made for me in the fridge. On that day, my dad called me telling me our cat misses me, making meowing noises, putting the cat on the phone, and asking me to come with them; I told them I'd make the next trip with them. That night, they lost their lives in a tragic car accident, and my sister received multiple injuries, leaving her in the ICU. And on that morning, I became an adult, the bearer of their dreams, and the protector of my sister.

Our parents had emigrated to America with hopes of capturing the American dream. To build a family, provide us with a comfortable life, and secure a bright future, yet both of them stayed rooted to the ground. My dad, worked his way up from being a Taxi Driver to being a part of the US Army Corps Engineering Corps, every person he came across, he would go out his way for, my mom whenever she heard anyone was in trouble, she would do everything to make sure they were comfortable. My parents wanted to make sure me and Raida lived our best lives and they sacrificed everything to make this dream a reality, only to have their lives tragically cut short.

Today, I reach out to you, as we face the daunting challenge of moving forward without them. This fund will support Raida's recovery and future education, cover our living expenses, and help manage the legal and administrative aspects of our parents' estate. As I navigate the responsibilities of guardianship and strive to honor the dreams my parents harbored for us, your support will provide a foundation for Raida to heal, grow, and thrive despite our profound loss.

We are deeply grateful for any donation, no matter the size, as it brings us a step closer to stability and security. If you're unable to contribute financially, sharing our story can also make a significant difference. Your support, in any form, is a testament to the power of community in the face of adversity—a reminder that even in the darkest times, we are not alone.

With heartfelt gratitude,

Esam and Raida Ahmed