After Parents Die of Coronavirus, 20-Year-Old Takes Care of 2 Teenage Sisters

Eight years ago, a couple from Iraq decided to try their luck in the United States. They settled in Michigan with their three children. However, during the recent pandemic, the couple was killed by the virus. The death of the couple left their eldest son to look after his two teenage siblings.

On April 21, Nada Ayram, the mother of the family, succumb to the virus. Three weeks after, Nameer Ayram also died due to complications from COVID-19.

When parents were battling the virus

It was the husband Nameer who first fell ill. On March 22, he was immediately put on a ventilator and received dialysis because of kidney failure. According to a report from the Detroit Free Press, he was hospitalized at the University of Michigan Hospital.

On the other hand, Nada, the wife, was admitted to Ascension Macomb-Oakland Hospital. 

Because of the protocols implemented in the hospital, the children were not allowed to visit their parents. Also, two of the three children tested positive for the coronavirus but recovered at home.

Before the pandemic, Nameer was a worker in an auto supply company. Nada was a homemaker.

Eldest son is left with his two siblings.

The father of the family was the main provider. He worked hard to sustain the needs of his children. Due to his death, bills are piling up, and the children cannot even grieve properly. 

Nashwan, the eldest son, is devastated by what happened to his parents. His two siblings, who are eighteen and thirteen years old, are also not taking the news well.

An organization is helping the siblings.

Since everything is still uncertain because of the pandemic, the three Ayram children are still finding the courage to get back on their feet.

The local organization, Chaldean Amerian Ladies of Charity, is helping the family. Their chairwoman, Renee Yaldo, said that they are providing basic needs to the family, and is also helping them by bringing groceries to keep them stable for now. 

GoFundMe page for the siblings

When the family migrated to the United States from Iraq, they brought with them the dream of having a better life. They did not expect that something like this would happen, especially to the kids, who are not left on their own. Until today, they are not only grieving but are also clueless as to how they can pay the bills without any income.

The family has no immediate relatives in the United States. That is why Zeana Attisha, a family friend, thought of helping the family by putting up a GoFundMe page.

The goal is to raise $250,000. As of writing, more $200,000 has already been raised.

The Chaldean American Ladies of Charity is continuously supporting the siblings for all matters, including social services and legal matters. 

The support for the siblings has been outpouring. Organizers are sincerely thankful for all the donors who supported the three.

According to the GoFundMe page organized for the siblings, family members of the Ayrams overseas were already contacted.