Dear Friends of Mustafa and Ghazwan,

We got absolutely wonderful news last week. Mustafa, our three year old Iraqi friend who we have shepherded through a cochlear implant and subsequent therapy, along with his father Ghazwan, have received permission to stay in the U.S indefinitely! Everyone who knows them both are overjoyed. Mustafa is making rapid progress with hearing and beginning to speak, something which was shut down when his eardrums were destroyed by a U.S. bomb in Baquba in 2006. [You can catch up with his story here.]

Not only that, but his mother and younger brother will be able to join them as soon as money and paperwork allow! Ghazwan is the most wonderful father but it is clear Mustafa misses his mother who he hasn’t seen in many many months.

There is a lot to do to help this great family get a solid footing in the United States and willing hands are needed. But, we think it is time to celebrate with everyone who has put so much time and thoughtfulness into Ghazwan and Mustafa’s life. An outdoor pot-luck party is being planned in Marin on Sunday, May 24, at 12 noon. Swimming, too! Please come and celebrate with us!

If you are on the Mustafa mailing list from Amy Skewes-Cox you will have gotten more detailed information.

If you’d like to come and join the festivities and meet our new neighbors please drop a line to Amy at amysc@rtasc.com

Amy and Ruth