Many of you know that in August the Asylum & Immigration Tribunal ruled that Maureen Mahoro's three children should be allowed to join her!
After hearing compelling testimony from Maureen and supporting evidence from WAR, the judges accepted that Maureen’s family could only be reunited in the UK (and not in Burundi or Uganda). This victory came almost eight years after Maureen was forced to leave her children behind when she fled Burundi.
Press coverage of Maureen’s case and huge public support (all letters were presented in court) was crucial to winning. At the very last minute, a more senior judge was brought in to hear the case; friends and supporters filled the court, while a Mothers Vigil organised by the All African Women’s Group and Single Mothers Self Defence was a lively presence outside. Three more months passed before the children’s visas were issued but now they have them in their hands and are ready to travel.
Except, Maureen doesn’t have all the money for their fares. Each ticket costs £600. She has saved and been given £850 so needs help to raise the balance of £950. Maureen is forced to ask for help because she is on such a low income. For her children to wait in Uganda, while she tries to put aside more money for fares from the little she has, would be unbearable.
Maureen explains:
I am close to the end of a long difficult journey which I wouldn’t have survived without your overwhelming support. We were blissfully happy when the judges said my children could come here. We cannot bear the thought of more delay. We speak every day talking of what it will be like when we are together. Every extra hour we are apart is painful.
I know first hand that others have problems, including with finding the money to live on. Any little amount that you can spare will help us reach our goal.
Words themselves cannot convey my heartfelt gratitude. I am committed to giving back to others by using my victory to help fellow women in the same situation. Thank you so much again.
See here for more information on other mothers' situations.
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This appeal is now closed. If you want to donate to Women Against Rape, please click here
www.womenagainstrape.net
