The Alawad family were forced to flee Syria, and were fortunate enough to be granted refugee status a few months ago here in San Diego, California.
They are a beautiful and humble family, who have gone through so much and are deperate to start a successful and sustainable life here again.
The Alawads have lived their entire lives in Syria, where the current civil war has ravaged their lives and taken away their homes and livelihoods. Thus, this family has been living the horrors of war since the conflict started more than 5 years ago. When the bombings of their city Homs got so extreme (and they watched local friends being killed from their balcony) they decided they had no choice but to flee Homs and move to a village near Damscus .... they did this three times to escape more and more bombs in each area. In the end they had no choice but to get buses to the border and to walk into Jordan, leaving behind their beloved country and the mess it had become. In that time they had 5 very young children ranging from 12 to 2 , but also had adopted one of their cousins due to losing her own parents in the war also! Their youngest child who is now 6 still remembers the bombings and how frightening it was every day. It has, of course, affected them all significantly but they still remain close and hopeful and positive despite it all!
Finally they made it to the Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan, where they lived together in one tent!!! Life in the refugee camp was difficult, but they survived. In that time they applied for refugee status to America and after more than a year of vetting they finally were granted it.
They have been through unimaginable hardship - but now they are here, the children attend school and all of them are working hard to learn in english in school and also with in home tutoring for four hours per week. They have work permits and both parents are keen to work! Rana is hoping to set up a successful catering bsuiness and cooks the most delicious middle eastern/ syrian food! Ayman owned his own wholesale wood business in Homs but now happy to work anywhere to earn some money and start his life again. However to achieve this, having a car is almost essential, as many of the available jobs for someone with very basic english are not necessarily within walking distance.
Their list of needs is not much - they live very simply and have very few possessions. However they really do need a family car. Any money that we raise for them will go straight into the fund to purchse them a car and get them insured for the first year. This will open up many more work possibilities for them both and their older boys in the coming years ahead.
If you can make a donation we would be incredibly grateful. Any amount will help.
THANK YOU from the bottom of our hearts for any assistance you can provide! I know the Alawad family is so very humbled, thankful and appreciative.
Additional information:
1. Who are we ? We are Rachel McHale and Karen Brandenburg , and We are volunteers with Heart4Refugees, a nonprofit organization based in San Diego that seeks to ensure the 1000 Syrian refugees who have been resettled here are supported during their transition to new lives in America.
https://www.facebook.com/Heart4Refugees/2. Where are we from?
San Diego, California (although Rachel is actually English but lived here two years ago)
3. How do We know the Alawad Family? They are our "adopted" family through Heart4Refugees. It is our desire that our relationship will continue, and we will be able to offer not only financial help but also the comfort of a supportive friendship and assistance as they navigate their new life in America.
4. How will the funds will be used? We will be using the funds to help towards buying them a family car
5. Will funds be given directly to the family? No. Heart4Refugees strongly recommends the funds be used on the family's behalf rather than being delivered directly to the family (for example, it is better to pay rent to the family's landlord or to the non-profit Syrian Community Network on their behalf than to just give the family cash). This way, volunteers can coordinate to ensure the maximum number of families get what they need.
guidestar.org/profile/47-3105667
charitynavigator.org/ein/473105667