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A fresh start in Erie: help the Okonkwo family resettle

After fleeing Ethiopia, the Okonkwo family has arrived in Erie with little more than their documents. They need help with a deposit, furniture and the first months.

🇺🇸 United States4,568 views
Paloma N. Carrillo
Email verified
Erie
My family left Ethiopia 9 months ago after our home was destroyed. We spent time in a camp before we were resettled in Erie. We're a family of eight and we're safe, but we arrived with very little. Our resettlement agency has provided 3 months of rent, and that support ends in November. I was a teacher in Ethiopia, and I'm studying the language every evening. Our daughter and son have started school and are doing well. We want nothing more than to be self-sufficient. This fund will help us through the first six months. Funds are managed by a local church-run settlement group, a registered organization, which pays the landlord and suppliers on the family's behalf. Where the $4,600 goes: • Rent deposit and first month: $2,200 • Beds, table and basic furniture: $1,100 • Winter clothing and school supplies: $820 • Language classes and bus passes: $260 • Phone and internet for school and job search: $220 Whatever you can give, even just sharing this page, means a lot.
#refugees#resettlement#family

Updates from Paloma

  1. Update from Erie: I met with the landlord and confirmed the amounts. We're at 51% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

  2. Good news. Because of your gifts ($1,683 in total) I made the first payment toward phone and internet for school and job search. Still a way to go but it feels less lonely.

  3. Quick update: $735 raised so far (16%). the plan for language classes and bus passes is now scheduled. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

Donations

RecentTop gifts
  • Dolores N. Espinoza 🇲🇽 · $25
  • Kanokwan Pranee Mahawong 🇹🇭 · $10
  • Kobina Francis Adjei 🇬🇭 · $5

    “Good luck. - Accra”

  • Okta Tika Sutanto 🇮🇩 · $10
  • Zalak P. Pawar 🇮🇳 · $6
  • Alberto B. Hernández 🇨🇴 · $20
  • Wendy P. Silva 🇨🇦 · $10
  • Rizwan Farhan Chaudhry 🇵🇰 · $10
  • Jennifer Tillman 🇬🇧 · $100

    “Blessings - Birmingham”

  • Samuel Rodrigo Farias 🇧🇷 · $25
  • Anonymous 🇫🇷 · $20
  • Leonid Konstantin Alexandrov 🇷🇺 · $32
  • Mthunzi M. Davids 🇿🇦 · $25
  • Lidia Anastasia Lebedev 🇷🇺 · $15
  • Neema Akello Ssemwogerere 🇰🇪 · $25

    “Every little bit. Thought of Paloma all day after reading this.”

  • Cristiane Giovana Alves 🇧🇷 · $40.50
  • Anonymous 🇺🇸 · $15

    “Hang in there. Only $15 but hope it helps.”

  • Skylar M. Norwood 🇺🇸 · $30

    “Thinking of you - Hialeah”

  • Emil Nyström 🇸🇪 · $10
  • Diya K. Malhotra 🇮🇳 · $15

    “Wish I could do more. - Rohini”

Reviews

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Questions & comments

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  • Rafael K. Franco

    You're not alone. Hope you get there. We had a similar scare last year, I know what it feels like.

    • Eka Winda Siregar

      Sending love, Paloma. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. All the best.

      • Crystal A. Welch

        keep going. Shared this with my family. Put this on a community board in Marseille this morning. Blessings.

        • Kamrul Sajib Roy

          Wishing you the best. I hope things turn around soon. Thinking of Erie

          • Rubén S. Velasco

            Good luck, Paloma. Looking forward to the next update.

            • Ayşe Kübra CanAddress verified

              I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier. Don't lose heart. A few weeks ago I was in a hole too and it changed faster than I expected. Greetings from Jakarta Barat.

              $4,212 raised of $4,600

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