Tampa Neighbors Mutual Aid
$0
Raised
0
Donations
$10,000
Goal
Here in Tampa we have a community of refugees from East Africa making new lives for themselves after spending years in some very difficult circumstances, living amid armed conflict and then in refugee camps. They are a close-knit and loving group of people who are working hard to build their lives and raise their children in a new country.
However, a number of the adults have been laid off, and it is becoming more and more difficult to afford the basics: rent, food, medicine and utilities.
To break it down, there are 15 adults who still have work — many at reduced hours — at factories and hospitals, in Tampa and as far away as Brooksville. Another 30 adults have lost their jobs and are looking for work. In addition, there are roughly 100 children who are unable to go to school, and they lack computers to do their assignments at home.
For example, Banguma and his wife — the parents of eight children — both lost their jobs and are now trying to come up with enough money to pay their rent ($1,300), their water bill ($93), their electricity bill ($134), a month's worth of groceries ($657), and their car insurance ($216). Six of their children are school-age, and are sharing a single computer to complete their assignments from home.
This is a common story, and only a small glimpse of the difficulties facing our neighbors.
Let's band together and come to their aid with monetary support, which will help some of the most vulnerable members of our community make it through this difficult time. The need is urgent, and it is ongoing. Any level of support is appreciated. If you have the means to make a recurring/ongoing contribution, please do.
Thank you.