Give The Sillahs Their Own Home

Micah Craighead is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

The money that has been given went to needs for the family. Starting on January 30th, 2024 we are raising $4,500 so they can buy their home. My husband and I met the Sillahs in October of 2021 and have been facilitating the Go Fund Me ever since. The initial amount from fundraiser was helpful as it got some needs met in the moment. My husband and I give them funds monthly and try to be able to help them with emergencies at times, not always. We have a low income, but anytime it may go up, we send more. Every month if people would allocate a certain amount to give for monthly mutual aid would be more than helpful. Thank you to everyone who gave before.

We have been able to become close with single West African mother, Mariama, talking almost daily with her or her teen son, Khalifa and the kids. They are wonderful and watching them grow is an honor, we are so lucky to be able to be long distance friends with Mariama and the family.

-Mariama with seven of her nine children, Khalifa, Abdou, Aisha, Abraham, Mariama, Hawa, and Ebrima.

Mariama and kids stay at a place that is up for sale right now. They have been in that home for about 3 years and would to purchase it for 175,000 DALASIS, which is a reasonable $3,000 USD. The additional $1500 USD is for further renovations needed. After the goal is reached we will still leave it up as they are in constant need of mutual aid.

This is a realistic goal and an easy goal, purchasing the current home they live in and doing some renovations so more of Mariama's children can come back to living altogether as a family. Right now Mariama has five children with her, but needs help and wants her other sons at home and not with extended family. Mariama currently has the younger kids Hawa, Mariama, Abdou, and twins, Aisha and Abraham with her. The sons Khalifa, Molamin, Ebrima and AbulLatif, all teens, would like to be with the family again too.

-Khalifa with twins Aisha and Abraham

-Abdou, Mariama, Hawa, Khalifa, and twins

-Mariama giving breakfast to Abraham, Aisha, Mariama and Abdou

-Mariama, the twins and oldest son Khalifa

Their beautiful homeland, that they are so proud of, has been destroyed by colonization and being a major place where the "transatlantic sl*ve trade" from 16th-19th centuries took place. 40% of enslaved people came from there and surrounding areas. They have been under or influenced by british and EU rule since then. This country is one of the poorest areas in the world, with 50% or more people live in poverty. Most people do not own their homes, can't get jobs, and many can't go to school, which is never free.

Khalifa is going in the 11th grade, which cost $500+USD this year, thank goodness we had a donor. We are still looking for some for next year. Mariama would be so happy if all of her children could go to school. They live hard lives there and it's impossible to leave when you live in this kind of poverty. Mariama is also disabled and has a painful and hard time walking after breaking her leg last year and not getting good medical care for it because you have to pay for the care up front or you won't receive any at all, no one could help her pay for that.

-Mariama with a child in the background

Please give anything you can and we will send it to them. The lowest fee is $3 so please consider that when giving! Go fund me now takes a percentage of each total as well.

Thank you for taking the time to look into how you can help this family! When they told me how much it was selling for I immediately updated this because getting them this home is a HUGE step further for Mariama and the kids! Thank you, give as much as you are able and please share this with at least five people and on your social media! Do something good that WILL help someone.