Help Needed

A young Afghan asylum seeker I used to visit in Broadmeadows Immigration Detention Centre – Qudrat – has the wonderful chance of reuniting with his mother and youngest sister in Australia. 
 
In March, Qudrat’s oldest surviving sister, Najiba, who lives in Dandenong with her husband and children, lodged an application to bring their mother, Shiringol, and their surviving little sister, Nadia, to Australia. 
 
These four people are the only surviving members of what was once a happy, prosperous family of 10 – mother, father, four sons and four daughters. After decades of targeted attacks and tragic, violent deaths (the family’s story is in the postscript), there’s finally a glimmer of hope. 
 
Last week, we heard the heartwarming news that their application has been provisionally approved. 
 
But, after paying the first round of fees, the family has now run out of funds. We have just weeks to raise the remaining $24,000 it will take to bring Shiringol and Nadia to Australia.  
 
I hope you can help me.
 
We need to raise $24,000 quickly – by mid June.  I thought I would cover the amount with a personal loan, but with a gross income of $25,000, no one wants to lend me $24,000 (can’t think why).   
 
I’ve had to think of another way. 
 
So, this Mother’s Day, I’m sending out this message in the hope that we can get 2000 people to donate $12 each, which will make $24,000.  
 
It’s the cost of a bunch of carnations: $12. 



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So if you’d like to give your Mum a gift of making a difference this Mother’s Day, please: 
 
1            Deposit your money into: 
 
Women’s International Solidarity Australia (WISA <http://wisaustralia.wordpress.com/> ) bank account. Sorry, donations to WISA are not yet tax deductible. 
 
BSB 033-039 (Westpac), Account number 348 902.   
 
If you’re depositing funds online, please include the reference: Hazara family or Hazara or Haz.
 
If you’re depositing in a bank, you MUST use a numerical reference – please use the reference number 1111. 
 
2            Forward this to people who you think I wouldn’t know.  I need to get it out to 2000 or more people before Mother’s Day – and that’s assuming that every person who reads this donates something!    
 
3            Download the attached card to give to your mother on Sunday.  (Not the image above – the attachment to this email).  It’s a beautiful image – Heather made it (thanks Heather).  It’s your gift to your Mum.  It will last a bit longer than a bunch of carnations.  
 
It will bring Shiringol – who might never have thought to see her eldest daughter and last remaining son in person again – to live with them, in safety, in our Melbourne.    
 
Many, many thanks.