Your Chance to Make A Difference

Today I received a message from a college friend; Kristen is finishing her graduate degree in photography and graphic design and has also gotten involved with the refugee community where she lives.  She is working on her thesis, which is a web design and multimedia production for a non-profit organization assisting Bhutanese refugees.

Kristen has befriended a family from Iraq and has learned about some of the difficulties refugees often encounter when they resettle in another country.  Refugees come to the United States (or to the other country in which they are resettling) with very few possessions and little to no money.  I have seen families of seven come with only four small bags; literally they come with little more than the clothes on their backs.  Once they arrive in the States, most refugees qualify for some public assistance (health insurance, food stamps, and cash assistance), but these benefits are time-limited and do not necessarily cover all of the costs of living.  Monetary income is often a great concern for these individuals and families. 

One of the things rarely covered by any form of public assistance is dental care; because refugees usually (but not always) come from areas where medical treatment is sub-par or even non-existent, many arrive here desperately needing both medical and dental treatment.  Unfortunately, there is often little we can do to help resolve specific dental issues. 

One of Kristen's refugee friends knows this situation first-hand, but Kristen is determined to do something about it.  Here is the message she sent to several friends of hers:

If you've seen the news recently, I'm sure you're well aware that more than 130 people died at the hands of suicide bombers in Baghdad, Iraq just over a week ago. As I sat beside a friend and watched some of the footage last Sunday night, I wondered what it would be like to see those images from his perspective. You see, I've never walked the streets of Baghdad, but he has. In fact, Baghdad, Iraq, is the place he calls "home."

H was a professional in the city, and as such, became a prime target for insurgents. On his way home from work one evening, he was abducted, brutally beaten, and eventually left for dead. Through an incredible series of events, he was found by U.S. troops and was able to move with his family to the U.S., where he, his wife, R, and their three young daughters now live as refugees. I can't imagine being forced to leave behind friends and family in exchange for safety, but this is the reality in which they live.

While they are thankful everyday for the opportunity to raise their three little girls here in the United States, they are finding it difficult to make ends meet as he is unable to work due to his injuries, and R serves as his sole caretaker. After living in the States for one year, R is in dire need of dental care which is not covered by Medicaid.

For the next few weeks, I will be selling hand-crafted earring holders to raise the money necessary to cover the dental expense (approx. $2,100). If you or anyone you know is interested in purchasing an earring holder for a suggested donation of $20 (plus shipping if needed), one hundred percent of the proceeds will fund the dental work needed by this family. (If you do know of others who might be interested in your area, it might save on shipping to send a couple together.) The earring holders are beautifully crafted, hand-made, and they make great Christmas gifts!

I will be taking orders for the next few weeks, and will get the holders out in time for the Christmas season. I can't thank you enough for taking the time to read and consider this note. If you know of anyone who might be interested in purchasing an earring holder, please feel free to forward this message.

Here is a picture of one of the holders:

If you are interested in purchasing one of these earring holders to assist the family in need, please contact Kristen at kristenhillerATyahooDOTcom to order one (or more) and learn about more ways you can help this particular family.  Even if you are unable to purchase one of these holders, please consider passing on this message to others.