We are right on the edge of making this lovely family’s seemingly impossible dream come true and helping to change their lives radically for the better.
I first met this family about 4 years ago when they hosted me to tea in their room in an awful ‘hell hole’ squat in Brussels. I was at the time with a charity in Brussels who work to support victims of human trafficking.
For about 7 years now they have had to live illegally in Brussels whilst they struggle to obtain papers to allow them to work and support themselves. This has left them living way below the poverty line, in the most horrible places and with a total lack of any daily security regarding having a roof over their heads or what will become of them in the future. Despite all of this, they have never lost hope, that their lives will somehow one day improve, and their courage has been humbling to witness. They have remained throughout their ordeal incredibly hospitable and gracious and I have stayed in contact with them since meeting them, helping them in small ways if I can and visiting them when I go to Brussels.
FINALLY THOUGH A BREAK THROUGH AND A REALLY TANGIBLE HOPE FOR THE FUTURE.
With much help from the charity, they have finally secured papers to allow them to live and work legally in Brussels. This at last opens the door to them being able to rent a place to live, and gives them for the first time as a family, the chance of a more stable, secure, safe future.
No more worrying every day at every knock at the door that may put them back out on the street with their two children.
No more worrying that when their children return from school they may find their parents have been taken in holding for deportation.
I just can’t imagine, as a mother, what it can possibly have been like living like this day to day for years!
We need to raise funds so we can pay the rental deposit on a flat for them and pay the first month’s rent whilst they find work.