charity.

A few days ago, we had an unexpected knock on the door.  While we have no one from the school (both Luthers and mine) that lives in our block, we could only assume it was either our ‘bowahb’ (doorman) or the amazing Egyptian-American woman who lives on the ground floor with us.  She has rescued us MANY times, to teach us how to use appliances, lend us matches and translate strange looking letters and bills.  Actually, just last week she invited us to her apartment with her family to have an amazing Egyptian-American thanksgiving. BEST OF BOTH WORLDS. Imagine roast turkey with Egyptian style stuffing.  Get this, she even cooked lamb because she remembered Luther is a huge fan. It was AMAZING!  It was not her at the door though. (Or her attractive Egypt-air pilot son) J  It was a woman who had lived in the apartment block for over 20 years and explained to us that a family of 12 has just moved in upstairs.  They are Syrian refugees who were a middle class family in Syria but escaped to Cairo when things got dangerous.  They are now living with nothing. No blankets, food, money, clothing etc.  She told us they are currently making money by selling baked goods and Middle Eastern dips (mezze) but it is not enough to cover for kids, mothers, grandparents and 2 small babies.

I have seen this family and they are very sweet.  We bought some food from them (AMAZING BABA GHANOUSH!!) and have given money to supply milk and food for the babies and children.

The woman came in for tea and INSISTED we call her 'mama'. She found out Luther was going away and has since called 3x to make sure i am okay. :) 

Anyway, this family is very close to home. They are literally, our neighbors.  If you plan on giving a charitable donation this year for Christmas, please consider sending some cash home with Luther and I to help these people out.  They have been through hell and will accept ANYTHING.  This is not giving money to some organization and hoping it goes somewhere helpful.  I will actually be able to see these children wear clean socks. J

 

dinner = baladi bread, baba ghanoush and meat filled syrian perogies :)