Help the Mistry Family Start a New Life in Ecuador
My name is Zubin Mistry. I am a teacher, a husband, and above all, a father.
My wife, Soodeh, and I are raising our 12-year-old son and our 8-year-old daughter in circumstances that have become increasingly unstable and frightening. Every day, we carry a quiet but constant fear — fear for our children’s safety, fear of worsening instability, fear of a future that feels as though it is closing in around us.
We are both lifelong educators. We have spent decades teaching students to think critically, to dream boldly, and to believe that education opens doors. We have dedicated our lives to nurturing hope in others.
Today, we are simply asking for the chance to preserve that hope for our own children.
The environment around us has become overwhelming. Economic hardship has intensified beyond what we could have imagined. Prices rise relentlessly. Basic necessities strain our limited income as teachers. Stability feels out of reach. At the same time, the educational atmosphere has become increasingly restrictive, limiting the kind of open, thoughtful learning we believe every child deserves.
As parents, we lie awake at night asking ourselves the same question:
What kind of future are we giving our children if we stay?
After long and painful consideration, we have made the decision to relocate to Ecuador — not for comfort, not for luxury, but for safety, dignity, and the opportunity to start a new life where our children can grow without fear. We are ready to work. We are ready to rebuild from the ground up. We have identified schools where we can seek teaching positions and where our children can continue their education.
Our only barrier right now is getting there.
Because of complicated travel routes and limited flight options, airfare for our family of four is far beyond what we can afford. Years of economic pressure have left us without savings to make this move on our own.
In addition to airfare, we are seeking modest support for our first month as we settle — securing housing, enrolling our children in school, and actively pursuing employment. These basic but critical needs include:
- Rental deposit and first month’s rent
- Groceries and essential household supplies
- Local transportation
- Utilities and internet
- School-related fees and supplies
- Basic healthcare needs
We are not asking for a handout. We are asking for a bridge — a bridge between fear and safety, between uncertainty and possibility, between survival and a chance to truly live.
We believe deeply in hard work. Once we arrive, we are committed to standing on our own feet as quickly as possible. We simply need help taking this first step.
Your support — no matter the size — will directly help two devoted parents protect their children and begin again with hope. And if you are unable to contribute financially, sharing our story would mean the world to us.
From the depths of our hearts, thank you for reading and for helping us move toward a future where our children can grow up feeling safe and with opportunity.
With sincere gratitude,
Zubin & Soodeh Mistry
