Help a hard working family stay in the UK

Hi! We are the De Sousa’s and we are fundraising for our applications for Indefinite Leave to Remain to allow our children to stay in the country they call home.

Why are we asking for help?

We had raised the money needed to apply until, in July this year, the government announced they were increasing the fees they require from us from October onwards by £5,400 without giving any reasonable time for us to save for the increases.

We have already worked hard to pay for and pass the tests required of us. We budgeted and saved for the expected fees but are now facing the prospect of being unable to afford the rest of the process having already spent around £15,000 on our family’s journey so far.

We appreciate any amount that can help us towards our goals to stay in the country we call home!

About Us – Amy’s story

My husband and I grew up and met in Zimbabwe and our first two children spent their early years there however following years of turmoil and uncertainty we decided to move our family to the UK for a more secure life.

I was able to come over on an ancestral visa four years ago due to my family’s roots in the UK. I initially spent seven months away from my husband and children working as a live-in carer but that was a price worth paying to ensure I could raise the money required to support my family when they moved here.

My decision was shown to be justified as on the day I left Zimbabwe’s government had blocked all online social media and were sending people door to door to beat up supporters of the democratic movement, my husband and children spent time with other relatives in order to be safe. It was a relief when my family were reunited with me after they arrived in the UK.

About Us – Kyle’s story

It was hard to be away from my wife spending seven months raising two of our children alone while she prepared for our family in the UK - but a price worth paying for the life we have since built and the dangers we have left.

After moving to the UK I have worked as a welder to support my family and trained to build up my skills and take on new opportunities. My wife still works hard progressing in her role as a senior carer and is currently training in order to become a nurse.

Since moving here we have had a third child, a daughter who is now 3, who would also have to leave with us if we are unable to stay. While our daughters are doing brilliantly at school and nursery we have got a diagnosis of autism for our son. He is a loving boy who is progressing so well in a mainstream school but we know Zimbabwe is not equipped to cater for his needs and we fear his prospects will not be good if we were forced to go back.