Please Help Rahman and his Boys Rebuild their Lives

Dear Friends,

Our kitchen in the East Village (@EVLOVESNYC) is a grassroots organization that works tirelessly to assist families in New York City, but all too often, the need becomes overwhelming and extraordinary circumstances compel us to take further action and reach out directly to the community. It was our intention to send this message on the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's passing (September 16), but our fundraiser was administratively delayed until this time as our effort here involves Iran.

The story of Rahman, Soroush and Sina is not just about a perilous escape from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) following the 2022 protests—it is also a story of resilience, hope and the courage it takes to start anew.

Rahman Sherafati is a Kurdish single father of two boys from the city of Saqqez in the Kurdistan province of Iran, the same place where Mahsa Amini hails from and whose tragic death sparked a global call for change, captured in the rallying cry of 'Women, Life, Freedom'. Rahman, a highly-respected high school teacher (and a two-time weight lifter on Iran’s national team), made the painful decision to flee their home with his sons after the IRGC began targeting them following the uprising. They were forced to leave to escape violence, harassment and death especially after other young detainees had been tortured, raped and, in many cases, driven to suicide.

Overnight, Rahman fled leaving everything behind, leading his boys on a dangerous journey across continents. For months, they traveled on foot through treacherous conditions from Venezuela to the U.S-Mexico border in search of safety.

Their struggle did not end there. Being a male of a certain age (18 years), Soroush was detained in Texas by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Rahman and Sina (15 years) were relocated to New York City and were opportunely introduced to us by other migrant families. We helped them locate Soroush and due to the generosity of over 200 kind-hearted New Yorkers, we were able to post bond for his release and reunite him with his family after four very distressing months.

Due to an unwieldy administrative process and a tremendous backlog of applications, this family's immigration documentation remains pending; effectively preventing any and all meaningful efforts to support themselves. Although in the process of healing and adjustment, the Sherafati family remains in dire need of assistance. Rahman is learning English and both Sina and Soroush are attending school but they have no income and rely solely on the minimal food provided by the shelter.

In an era inundated with daily global tragedy, one easily experiences futility by the overwhelming suffering. Nevertheless, we also know that change only happens one step at a time. This exceptional family's story serves as a powerful reminder that this need for change remains and the fight for freedom is not over. Today, we are asking for your help to affect this change. Your donation, no matter how large or small, will afford the Sherafati family its daily survival which is vital until their immigration status is resolved.

Please join us this holiday in giving Rahman, Soroush and Sina the chance at a new life. Let us stand together to honor the memory of Mahsa Amini and countless others who have sacrificed for freedom. Through your support, we can help this remarkable family on their path to safety and a brighter future.

With gratitude and hope,

Maryam Filsoof & Sara Bajwa Kane