Help Rebuild Home for Williams-Harris Family

*Update*

Thanks to your generous donations, Fadia has been able to put a deposit down on expediting passports and plane tickets to South Africa. She is so appreciative of your generosity.

Hi, I'm Jenna and I'm posting on behalf of my dear friend Fadia Williams and her family.

Here is their story:

Rebuilding Home for the Williams-Harris Family

Part 1: The Journey Begins

The family's journey starts in January 2019 when US-citizen Jahaangir Harris is forced to leave his South-African wife Fadia and their small daughter Layla behind to travel from Capetown to New York, addressing changes in South Africa's immigration laws for foreign nationals. Bureaucratic hurdles delay the family's reunion in the US by a year and a half. By then, their arrival in the US coincides with the COVID lockdown; subsequent travel bans for South Africans under the Biden administration complicate their situation.

In the midst of these challenges and while navigating visa restrictions, Fadia ventures to build a community and support local women by establishing the Women Of Qudra nonprofit organization (www.womenofqudra.org) with focus on postpartum care, young women's summer camps, and support for new widows. Based on her choice to be a "stay-at-home mom", Fadia is nevertheless presented with challenges in obtaining residency - a dilemma that intensifies as they welcome three beautiful babies in three years, further distancing them from "societal norms".

Their journey takes an unexpected turn when a natural disaster strikes: the flood on December 17, 2023 forces them into evacuation and eventual eviction, Fadia making the move with their young children while Jahaangir travels as an interstate truck driver.

As immigrants and legal citizens, the Williams-Harris family represents America's diverse tapestry. Their journey underscores the importance of embracing diversity and inclusion, especially for families navigating non-traditional roles. However, this is easier said than done when there is no tick box that suits their needs.

Despite both Jahaangir and Fadia’s efforts to raise funds and save money, they face a massive stumbling block in the course of their eviction: the landlord refuses to return the deposit nor the pre-paid rent, and the costs of moving from Airbnb to Airbnb through four different states in the last five months is taking it’s toll. Adding to this, a vehicle had to be rented in order to move their family around.

Displacement has exposed the family to safety and health hazards. Not having a stable home and the uncertainty of where to next and the constant moving has affected the children's immune systems and emotional sensitivity. Returning to South Africa is crucial for heir well-being, providing stability and security.

Part 2: Rebuilding Home

The Williams-Harris family faces financial strain as they navigate eviction and displacement, urgently needing support to fund their *journey back to stability in South Africa*.

They require:

Despite systemic racial stigma and injustice, safety and health hazards, they *remain resilient, determined to create a stable future for their children*.

Part 3: Seeking Support & Charity

The Williams-Harris family's journey exemplifies the lesson that God will not burden you with something that you cannot overcome and as they face challenges and obstacles on their path, they do have the faith that with your support they will overcome. By *coming together as a community and extending support*, we can help alleviate their burdens and provide them with the opportunity to rebuild their home and lives.

Let us heed the call for charity and ease, standing in solidarity with the Williams-Harris family as they seek stability and sanctuary. Let's rebuild home for the Williams-Harris family and stand against injustice. Your support will empower them on their journey to stability and resilience in South Africa.

Part 4: Transparency and Updates

Regular updates on the family's journey will raise awareness about housing insecurity and racial stigma. Your support will inspire positive change in our communities.

Warm regards,

The Williams-Harris Family

Offline donations can be made to PayPal Fadia Williams @fadiawillims (please note there is no ‘a’ in the surname, it is NOT a typo)