A group of Edmontonians have begun a campaign to help a Tanzanian family find a place to live while their young daughter undergoes cancer treatment at the Stollery.
The group has taken to Kijiji to ask for donations to help the family get settled in the city.
Louise Solbrekken explained that she first met the Mgonja family while she was travelling in Africa.
“They treated me so well when I was in Africa, in their country.”
She said now that they are here, she wants to help them.
“Their need is so great and I feel responsible to help them.”
Boniface Mgonja said he had been studying and teaching at the University of Alberta but when they moved back to Tanzania in 2010, they found out their 4-year-old daughter, Michelle, had Leukemia.
“The doctors told us that maybe we should go to India, because normally people in Tanzania once they get a problem they rush to India, because otherwise they said we might not have even a month with her.”
The family of six has been staying at the Ronald MacDonald House for the last eight months but is looking for more permanent housing.
“They need a place of their own that they can feel comfortable and settle in,” Solbrekken said.
CEO of the Ronald MacDonald House Northern Alberta said many Canadian families struggle financially when an illness strikes but for those from overseas the problems can be amplified.
“You don’t know what you are going to do for the next meal let alone what you are going to do for the education needs and the dreams of your kids let alone the one who is seriously ill,” Martin Dugas said.
The group has collected nearly $2,000 to help the Mgonja family but is looking for more help.
To help the Mgonja family from Tanzania to find a home, e-mail Louise.
With files from Veronica Jubinville
