Support Medical Attn. for Migrant Mother & Child

The inscription on the Statue of Liberty states, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..."

My name is Richard Loochtan, and I am writing to request collective mobilization to raise funds  to meet the healthcare, legal, and other survival needs for a medically-compromised immigrant family who is seeking a better life in the United States.

THE GOMEZ FAMILY STORY (*names have been changed to protect the identity of the family)
The family consists of a mom - Maria, a dad - Paulo, and a five year-old son named Juan.  They fled their native country of Angola as gangs threatened to kill the entire family if they did not provide the equivalent of $10,000 in Angolan currency.  Within hours of Juan's birth, Paulo was kidnapped.  If he didn't pay, all three would be killed.  The gang beat him until he was unconscious.  He awoke with a broken arm and was covered with blood. 

As their lives were in danger, they gathered their belongings into two large bags and made their way to Brazil, where they lived in a slum and could not find work due to systemic poverty.

Survival in Brazil was difficult, so a decision was made to seek asylum in the U.S.  They walked from Brazil through Central America to the Mexican/US border.
                                               
                                                    They walked for a full year!


*the child in the photograph included above is not a member of the Gomez family 
 

MEDICAL PROBLEMS
Juan was born with hydrocephalus, a condition that affects the brain.  On the long journey to the United States, he had two cardiac arrests and was hospitalized.  He continues to have heart problems and his respiratory system is compromised.  Long-term cardiac and neurological care will be required.  When they arrived at the border, they had a five-hour interview with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and entered the US lawfully, according to current U.S. law.  Yet, they were detained for several months.

Maria became ill on the way to the U.S.  She lost sixty pounds in eight months and had severe pain.  Exploratory surgery was completed three weeks after her release from ICE.   Her abdominal organs were all covered with a granular fungus, and she will require up to two years of treatment to recover.   Her recovery is ongoing.

A BEAUTIFUL SOUL
A wonderful woman named Hope opened her heart and her home to the family who was eventually allowed to enter the U.S. due to Juan and Maria's medical conditions.   Still, two weeks after arriving, ICE summoned them to the local detention center under false pretenses and tried to deport them.  Thankfully, Hope had an attorney present, and the family was allowed to stay and to seek asylum.


OUR GOAL
I am attempting to raise $25,000 to help pay for the Gomez family's expenses.  

Generous donors have provided clothing and food for the family, but the legal fees  for asylum ( $8000) and the out-of-pocket expenses for Maria's surgery ($10,000) are expenses that Hope cannot afford to pay. *Meeting the needs of the Gomez family will require a collective effort.*  I am requesting donations for these expenses as well as ($1000 - governmental fee) for work permits and ($6000) to help with food, continual medical care for Juan and Maria, transportation, school fees, and miscellaneous expenses that may arise.   The hospital would not extend a payment plan, and Hope has paid $11,000 out her own pocket to pay for hospital expenses, for the attorney's downpayment and for work permits.  The permits will allow Paulo and Maria to begin to earn funds so that they can eventually live on their own and help to pay for the lengthy, three-year asylum process.

THEIR SPIRIT
Recently, Paulo  was able to work for four hours as a gardener.   He earned $40 and was so excited to be able to help support the family that he asked Hope to drive immediately to a grocery store so that he could buy food for all.  They are extremely thankful to be safe and just want an opportunity for a fresh start.  The family gains its strength from their faith and are happy  to be able to attend a local Christian church service every week.

Please consider supporting at whichever capacity you can. We will send updates to supporters. 

"No Act of Kindness, No Matter How Small, Is Ever Wasted" - Aesop

THANK YOU for helping Paulo, Maria, and Juan




Photo Credit: Richard Loochtan & Google Images (Slum & Gang photo)