Three Michigan children have been left orphaned after losing both of their parents to coronavirus.
According to reports, Nameer and Nada Ayram arrived in the U.S. as refugees from Iraq eight years ago. The couple both succumbed to coronavirus within weeks of each other, leaving the Chaldean community, along with the school district and ASG Automotive – where their father worked – to rally around the children.
Renee Yaldo, chairwoman of the United Community Family Services/Chaldean American Ladies of Charity board, said: “Things progressed, we realized that they were going to need a lot of help.”
Yaldo and the charity first began helping the Ayram family, of Sterling Heights, Michigan, back in March. Nash, 20, Nadeen, 18, and Nanssy, 13, were left to fend for themselves when their parents were admitted to the ICU and placed on ventilators in two different hospitals after contracting COVID-19.
“The two oldest kids did have it and self-treated at home while their parents were in the hospital,” Yaldo explained.
Sadly, their parents lost their battle with the virus. Mom Nada, 46, passed away on April 21, while her partner, Nameer, died on Monday.
“The parents were fine and healthy and then they just weren’t feeling well,” Yaldo said. “And to think that is last time you would see your parents, is just devastating.”
She continued: “Mom was a homemaker, the dad brought in all the money,. He took care of the family; the kids were really just treated as if they were on a pedestal. Mom cooked and cleaned for them, drove them to school, and took care of everything. So these kids now have to learn a new way of life.”
A GoFundMe page was set up to aid the family as they recovered from the virus. It has now been changed into a trust to help the children in any way possible. Thus far it’s raised more than $150,000.
I can only imagine the pain of losing both of your parents within the space of a few short weeks. All of our thoughts and prayers go out to their children!
Share this article to send love and prayers their way. Rest in peace.
