Aiexpress – After spending several years as refugees in Uganda, the majority of a Congolese family, consisting of nine out of eleven members, successfully arrived in the United States. However, their pursuit of stability and security is far from over.
Son Malik Abdule reflected on the impact of wars on their lives, stating, “We were constantly on the move, always running.”
Hassan Zakaria, the eldest among the Busimba children, was just 5 years old when his family had to escape their homeland in 2008.
Hassan described the harrowing journey, “We had to run quickly, finding shelter in the bushes, constantly moving day and night. Eventually, we managed to cross the border from Congo to Uganda.”
After years of relentless effort, they finally achieved their goal of relocating to Colorado a year ago. However, their journey was not without its challenges, as they encountered new obstacles upon arrival.
They are still supporting their siblings in Africa and have the hope that one day their siblings will also be able to come to the U.S.
Malik Abdule expressed his dissatisfaction with the apartment, stating that it is not suitable for them. He mentioned that homeless individuals often sleep in the apartment and even break down the door. Moreover, there are frequent fights occurring within the premises.
The family’s living space is inadequate and poses safety risks. In addition, they lack a means of transportation, and their father is visually impaired.
Zakaria Busimba, speaking to CBS News Colorado, shared that he lost one eye due to illness, and unfortunately, his other eye also became infected years later.
Upon arriving in America, the family held high hopes that an operation would be the key to restoring his sight. Unfortunately, their optimism was quickly shattered when they received devastating news.
Hassan Zakaria shared that his father was informed by doctors that he would not be able to receive treatment due to the numerous eye surgeries he underwent in Uganda.
Zakaria Busimba’s blindness prevents him from being able to work, leaving his wife to take on the role of full-time caretaker for both him and their younger children.
Malik Abdule expressed his hopes that the treatment would be successful, enabling him to attend school and his father to resume work.
Instead, the responsibility of supporting the family has been shouldered by the two eldest boys, who are currently juggling their high school education with part-time jobs at Wendy’s and Walmart.
“It’s tough for us to juggle work, school, and the financial responsibilities of paying rent and bills,” expressed Hassan Zakaria.
The students’ dreams of attending college have been put on hold as they prioritize their family’s well-being.
“I had plans to enroll full-time in college, but unfortunately, I had to put that on hold due to the financial burden of paying rent,” shared Malik Abdule. “As a result, I haven’t been able to pursue my education.”
Volunteers from the African Community Center are actively assisting Zakaria in applying for disability benefits and securing a car for his family. Fortunately, they have successfully located a more secure rental home for the family. To support their efforts, the volunteers are currently organizing an online fundraiser for the Busimba family, aiming to raise enough funds to facilitate their move by next month.
