Meet Sara Gomaa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Gomaa.

Hi Sara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am an Egyptian refugee who was resettled to USA back in 2017. I left Egypt and took asylum in India in 2010 and when I was granted Asylum in India, I got married to an Indian man from the Sikh community, but unfortunately due to the religious differences and the unwelcoming nature of Indian households for a foreign wife to their sons, I had to seek resettlement to the United States as at that time USA was the only country opening for resettlement of refugees. I was approved and I arrived to USA on the 26th of January 2017 at LAX airport(even though I was previously informed that I am resettling in Ohio state) at exactly 1:15 pm Pacific time. The time was of the essence because few hours afterward, Previous US President Donald Trump has declared a travel ban on all refugee arrivals to USA and I was among the very few refugees who barely made it into this country before the ban went into effect. During my journey from Indira Ghandi airport to LAX airport, I was asking myself this question; why has my destination changed suddenly and I was wondering if I ever will be allowed to enter USA?! But, after the ban news came out, I realized that it was literally destined for me to be in this country because Ohio State was amongst these Red states who supported Trump’s decisions.

As they say after rain, the sunshine is always more clear and warmer, that was exactly what I felt when I returned to the motel on the same day after my long search for a job to hear about a white lady called Miry Whitehill from another Iranian refugee who had the same experience. I told her let’s share the apartment together, she said she was waiting for Miry to find her a welcome home. I told her how would you trust a stranger coming to offer help at a motel, she said do we have another option? I go silently to my room and I wait for a call from the girl when Miry comes to see her. An hour later, I came down to meet such a bright-faced always smiling Miry Whitehill. She hugs me dearly while holding her youngest son with one hand and said Welcome to USA, Welcome to Los Angeles! And she asked me about where I came from and at the end, she promised me the same and took a selfie with me to post on her Facebook, I just got to see the title: Who would like to accommodate a single Egyptian girl who cooks both Indian and Egyptian foods? And, with the same warm smile, she said she will be in touch with she comes again to pick up the Iranian girl to go to her welcome home.

Two days passed, The Iranian girl called me and said Miry is coming in 2 hours and she wants me to come meet her. I come down when she arrived and on the phone was another Angel called Celeste. She was saying that she would love to offer me a welcome home where she lives with her husband Adam. I was Shocked and thrilled at the same time. Could there be good people like that? Who just because of a post on Facebook are willing to open their home to a total stranger? Without Excessive vetting like the dump Trump was shouting out for? But that was true. Hours later Celeste and Adams took me to their home, gave me access to own bathroom, WIFI, library and kitchen. Adam took me daily to guide me on how to apply for jobs and they took me for their social gatherings to help me understand how to socialize. They basically helped me take the first step without worrying about tomorrow for the next 30 days. And this warm and welcoming home helped me get my first job within 3 weeks of moving to their home. A full-time Job that put me on the right track to become independent financially and to build my own way to be an American soon.

In 2021, Miry offered me officially a position to join Miry’s list as a welcome workshop coordinator. Specially with the Afghanistan Crisis at its peak, I couldn’t find a better way to give back to Miry’s list and I happily joined. I speak with all the new arrival families who enrolled in our program or signed up for our emergency covid help. I listen to their stories, to their struggles, and It made me feel I am so glad that I went through all this because sharing my real-life experience with them made them feel understood. It makes them feel that they shouldn’t panic because Miry’s list isn’t isn’t lying. I, with a team of 17, talk every day and assure these families in the best way we can. We try to tell them that you’re welcome and we are happy to have you. And that you are not alone.

If I would say how my work at Miry’s list impacted my life, I would say it is the best way to stay positive when I am always stressed out about the distance between me and my husband because we are unable to be together yet due to immigration-related formalities. I think helping these families made me feel that I am able to make a difference for others and spread the love.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been through a lot of challenges during my life journey. First, when I married in India assuming that I am building a life with my beloved partner and it all crashed into pieces on the land of reality in India and forced us to be apart till this moment while we are waiting for the US immigration to approve our reunion. Secondly, when I landed in USA and was informed that California is my final destination which wasn’t informed to me by IOM when I received the documents needed to prepare myself for the travel. Thirdly, after entering the USA, the unprofessional way of the Resettlement agency named IILA who accused me of lying about my financial status and that I can’t afford to pay for a full month’s rent and two months’ advance deposit to leave the motel and live independently, Lastly, The struggle at my first housing after I left the welcome home that Miry’s friends offered me. In my new housing, I was faced with harassment by roommates and one of them Raised a Knife in my face because I denied to date him and said I am married and will wait for my husband. He said to the police when they arrested him that I was a white chicken and he wanted to cut..!!!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Living in India played a very big part in my life journey. Not only have I met the love of my life, but also learning a lot about Indian culture helped me get my very first Job in the USA. I was appointed as Project coordinator at a manufacturing company for the Hospitality sector and The owner himself was Pakistani American and 90% of the customers were Indian Americans who usually weren’t very fluent in English. So this helped me flourish in this company and I worked there for 5 consecutive years. But, due to covid, businesses were affected and I was also given the opportunity to be a part of Miry’s list Dream Team.

At Miry’s List, I am the flight attendant! I welcome all families who signed up or enrolled with us. I tell them how happy we are to have them in our big family. I ask them questions such as Are you safe at your residence? Are you able to function? Do you have any urgent needs? Etc. I take all their clothing sizes and diapers needs for kids, then I start packing a customized welcome kit for them. We ship kits to everywhere in the United States. Moreover, I take replenishment needs for diapers and formulas as well as masks and sanitizers then ship it.

We also receive a lot of requests from groups either corporates or friend groups who want to dedicate sometime packing kits for our families at our workshop. We also conduct welcome letters writing events at the workshop and it is very beautiful to see those families and school kids willing to give if nothing but time to show their love and to welcome our new neighbors.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I always quote myself as a Quick Learner. Life taught me to observe and self-learn quickly to be able to survive. I could also say I am a very patient person. I don’t give up easily and I don’t complain easily.

Contact Info:

• Website: miryslist.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/miryslist/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/miryslist
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/miryslist

Image Credits
1. Julia Krider who is featured holidng a hot pad. She made it herself as a welcome note project for our families 2. Cynthia Germanotta , the mother of Lady Gaga, in the picture featured with a big box and a welcome letter. 3. Northstar packaging company who donated all these packages for our families