Story

I’m a friend of Badawi; he can’t speak English, so I’m writing this for him.

Badawi, a 22-year-old from Sudan, once lived a simple life with his family in a modest home on the outskirts of Khartoum. The oldest of three siblings, he always felt a strong sense of responsibility toward his family, especially his ailing mother, Mariam. His younger brother, Ahmed, and his sister, Sara, looked up to him, while his youngest brother, Yaseen, still saw the world with innocent eyes, not fully comprehending the dangers that loomed over their lives.

The outbreak of war shattered their lives overnight. Their peaceful neighborhood became a battleground, forcing them to flee with nothing but the clothes on their backs. The first time they were displaced, they sought refuge with distant relatives in a safer part of the city, but safety was fleeting. The violence spread, and they had to leave once again, beginning a cycle of displacement that would repeat itself seven times within a single year.

Each move was more harrowing than the last. Badawi’s mother, whose health had been deteriorating even before the war, grew weaker with each displacement. The lack of consistent medical care and the stress of constant uncertainty took a severe toll on her. Badawi did his best to care for her, but the burden was overwhelming. His siblings, especially Ahmed, tried to help, but as a young man barely out of adolescence, Ahmed was ill-equipped to handle the weight of the family’s struggles.

After nearly a year of living as refugees within their own country, moving from one temporary shelter to another, the family made a desperate decision to leave Sudan. They had heard of others fleeing to Saudi Arabia, a place where they might find some semblance of safety and stability. The journey was perilous, fraught with the dangers of crossing borders and relying on the kindness of strangers. But staying in Sudan was no longer an option.

Arriving in Saudi Arabia was a bittersweet moment for Badawi and his family. While they were finally out of immediate danger, they found themselves in a foreign land with no resources, no connections, and no idea of how they would survive. Their financial situation was dire. The little money they had saved during their displacements was quickly depleted, and Badawi knew that without urgent help, they would not be able to make it through the next few weeks.

Badawi’s mother needed proper medical care, something they could not afford. Ahmed, now 19, was desperately searching for a job, but opportunities were scarce, and without local experience or credentials, he faced constant rejection. Sara and Yaseen were struggling to adapt to their new reality, with sara taking on responsibilities far beyond her years to help the family, and Yaseen growing more withdrawn each day.

In this moment of crisis, Badawi realized they needed immediate financial assistance to survive. A sum of $5,000 would cover their essential needs for the next few months—rent, food, and medicine for their mother—buying them time until Ahmed could secure employment. The family’s future hung in the balance, and Badawi felt the weight of that uncertainty bearing down on him every moment.

With no other options, Badawi reached out for help, hoping that someone, somewhere, would hear their plea and offer the lifeline they so desperately needed. He knew that if they could just get through this immediate crisis, there was a chance for a better life, a chance for his brother Ahmed to find a job, and for their family to begin rebuilding the life that had been torn apart by the war.