Our Story

My name is Janet, and I've been Muslim for almost 24 years. I'm mom to a 9-year-old girl, Sofia, who's been through a lot in her life so far. Despite the abuse and trauma she's endured, she's still so excited to experience new things; browsing books and taking classes at the public library, going swimming for the first time, navigating friendships at school, and going for walks by the river near our home. Recently, we left behind a life of hardship and abuse abroad, seeking safety and a fresh start in the U.S. Our journey has been long and challenging, but it has also been filled with hope and determination.

The Struggles We've Overcome

While living overseas in my ex-husband's home country from 2014-2023, I was my daughter's sole provider. I did my absolute best to give her a proper upbringing, raising her with a love for Islam. I also had to work full-time so we could make ends meet. I stretched thin as I continued to support my ex-husband. I invested in his failed business ventures, gave him my hard-earned money so he could buy a car, purchased all appliances, paid all our living expenses, covered the cost of all travel, and I even helped fund extensive repairs to his family's home. Despite working full-time from home while caring for my daughter, after all of these expenses, there was barely anything left for us. My priority has always been my daughter’s well-being, safety, and ultimately protection so we could simply survive the violence at home.

Since accepting Islam, I have faced numerous hardships and endured severe abuse from my ex-husband and his family. I suffered physical abuse from my father-in-law, had my belongings destroyed, was pushed into a kitchen stove flame, had money stolen, was prevented from cooking food for myself and my daughter, and endured relentless verbal abuse from his entire family.

For nearly 10 years, my little girl and I were trapped abroad, unable to visit my family in the U.S. We were isolated from our support system and deprived of the love and care we desperately needed. Despite numerous attempts to escape, legal documentation hurdles, COVID-19, and financial constraints kept us from leaving—until September 2023. 

When we returned to the U.S. in September, we stayed in hotels for the first month until we found a safe apartment. Yet, two months later, I lost my remote job and my only source of income. Since then, despite applying to many remote jobs, I've only been able to find sporadic part-time online work. This has not provided enough for me to make ends meet. The uncertainty of our situation has been stressful, but I firmly believe Allah's help is near, insha'Allah.

I'm determined not to let circumstances bring me down. With my trust in Allah, I will keep fighting to create a better life for me and my little girl. Alhamdulillah, we now have a safe place to live. My daughter is finally enrolled in school for the first time in her life, and we're living near my family. I'm so grateful for the progress we've made. I just need a little bit of help to stay afloat.

Alhamdulillah, my family is helping as much as they can, and social services is helping me put food on the table and providing us with access to healthcare. I'm committed to finding stable employment and continuing to provide a safe and loving environment for my daughter.

Why We Need Your Help

As I work hard to build a life for myself and my daughter, we need the ability to move around to take care of our basic needs. We desperately need a car.

Having a car would facilitate the following:

• Attending interviews for local, in-person jobs: Expanding my job search beyond remote opportunities will significantly increase my chances of finding stable employment as a stepping stone to better opportunities.
• Taking my daughter to therapy appointments: My daughter needs regular therapy to heal from the trauma of our past. Reliable transportation is essential for her recovery.
• Ensuring our independence and safety: Having a car means we won't have to rely on others for transportation, giving us the freedom and security we need.

How You Can Make a Difference

Our goal is to raise $12,000 to purchase a reliable used vehicle suitable for navigating harsh Midwest winters, ensuring safe transportation to and from work. Your generous contribution will directly impact our lives, providing us with the means to rebuild and thrive in our new home. Every donation, regardless of the amount, brings us closer to achieving our goal of settling in, accessing essential services, building a support network, and securing employment. Your support will ensure a brighter future for both of us.

Join Us on Our Journey

We are on the brink of remarkable breakthroughs as we continue to strive to heal, grow, and live lives that are most pleasing to Allah. Masha'Allah, in the past 8 months, I have been blessed to achieve the following:

• Completely relearning to drive and passing my driver's exam!
• Successfully advocating for my daughter when she faced intense physical & verbal bullying after joining school mid-year.
• Investing in basic furniture and kitchenware for our new home.
• Purchasing clothes, shoes, and all necessities for my daughter and me, catering to all weather and every season. (We arrived here with only two suitcases each!)
• Replacing my ancient laptop, which was on the verge of crashing.
• Initiating daily walks and shedding 40 pounds—immensely boosting my mental & physical well-being!

Recently, I sought professional help to improve my resume and cover letter. I'm fully committed to doing everything I can to make the necessary changes to improve our living situation. While I've had promising remote job opportunities that didn't work out, I now need to expand my search to local jobs within driving distance.

Since accepting Islam nearly 24 years ago, I've rarely asked for zakat except in my most difficult moments. Allah has always sent helpers when I needed them, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Recently, I've had to swallow my pride and accept that although I prefer to be a giver (who doesn't?), this is the position Allah has put me in. With acceptance and contentment with what my Lord has decreed for me, I have found the courage to come here to ask you for your help.

I need your help now to regain stability so I can pay it forward again once I'm back up on my feet, insha'Allah. I'm hopeful that each of you reading this will come together to support us.

By donating to our campaign, you're not just helping us buy a car; you're giving us a chance to heal some pretty big wounds and create a stable, loving life where me and my daughter can flourish—you're helping us with a brand new start.

I've only just realized how much my daughter missed out on due to the unimaginable abuse and trauma we endured for the first eight years of her life. No child should ever have to miss out on their childhood. Just the other day, after a summer rain, she saw her first rainbow and was over the moon! Witnessing her awe and excitement was one of the most beautiful moments we've shared. It was an emotional moment for both of us. It made me realize that I want to give my little girl so many more special moments and childhood memories. I want to give her the life she deserves; a life filled with rainbows, safety, and the love and care of her community insha'Allah.

Please help us with our fresh start. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for considering our plea and for being a part of our journey toward a better life.

May Allah reward your generosity in this life and the next.

Janet & Sofia