I'm so...done
Added 2024-10-18 18:58:14 +0000 UTCApparently, there's somewhere lower than rock bottom & I'm in it.
Comments
Rana, I wish I could do something to help you. Watching this is making me cry. Stay strong. I'll keep praying for you.
Kenneth
2024-10-24 03:16:52 +0000 UTCHey, David! Please text me.
Rick Filtz
2024-10-21 17:30:59 +0000 UTCThat's a fair point. I had other considerations in mind. 1) I'm not set up as a non-profit, so anything passing through me (more than a few hundred dollars total) is treated as personal income and taxed heavily (probably 35% for "self employment"). 2) I'm taking on the possibility of personal liability if something goes wrong and someone gets upset. Not that I would do anything wrong, but people are people and there could be an unwanted headache. 3) I'll be out of the country through the end of this month, so there will likely be delays with transactions and associated correspondence.
David T
2024-10-20 01:25:46 +0000 UTCHey David. I will reach out to Rana and ask her what she thinks about all of this and what she needs and how much. I do believe though that if you are willing, that it would be best to send any monies through you. You obviously know more about what to do and how to do it than any of us. Also, logistically speaking it would be better for Rana to just have to go to 1 place, just 1 time to collect it rather than going to multiple places, multiple times to collect from multiple people. I will certainly let you know what she says. I just hope I hear back from her soon.
Rick Filtz
2024-10-19 23:34:28 +0000 UTCHi Arno! Yes, If David can do it, I think it would be the best. I have reached out to him to discuss this more. I gave him my phone number. I will reach out to Rana also.
Rick Filtz
2024-10-19 22:30:52 +0000 UTCDavid, I can't thank you enough for knowing all this information. It can't be easy navigating all this in all these countries in such a sensitive area of the world. I also can't thank you enough for all of your help that you have given Rana. I think we all agree that she is a very special person that deserves better than this. I know all of our hearts are breaking .
Rick Filtz
2024-10-19 22:21:58 +0000 UTCGentlemen, thank you, but it's a bit complicated at the moment. While international sanctions do not specifically prevent provision of assistance to civilians within Syria, there are general prohibitions on providing services in Syria (which is why every major Western website such as Amazon, Google, etc. are blocked there). It's also illegal to transfer money into the Syrian financial system, whether directly or indirectly, without an export license. In practical terms, it's a bad idea to try to send anything to someone in Syria or to try to work around the sanctions. I tried to send something for Rana to collect in Jordan which would enable her to remain there for some time and eventually continue on to a final destination. She had a bad experience in the country and would really rather not return there. That transfer was cancelled for now. It sounds like Iraq is the next stop. Cash transfers to Iraq are more or less fine, as they are to Jordan, but we don't want to send anything into or through Syrian territory. That's not the kind of attention that you want to receive from your bank, to put it mildly. We're working on the next plan to get Rana what she needs once she makes it over the border to Iraq. Please reach out to her directly to make arrangements on how and when to provide assistance. I'm able to send to Lebanon if she wants to go through her existing account, but the fees are hefty and someone like Samer would need to facilitate. I am in the US and could coordinate and collect funds via a service such as PayPal or Payoneer before initiating a Western Union transfer, but we ought to leave this and other details to Rana to decide.
David T
2024-10-19 17:57:03 +0000 UTCHi David, here is also my phone and WhatsApp number: 0049175-9367788 You can also text me about a way to send Rana some money. I would be very happy if I could help somehow!
Arno Benter
2024-10-19 17:38:13 +0000 UTCGood idea, Rick! If David has worked out a way with Rana to send her money, I would like to join too!
Arno Benter
2024-10-19 17:30:42 +0000 UTCDavid, here is my phone number 973-945-1917. Please text or Whatsapp me to discuss how to get Rana money. I assume you are in the US. Thanks so much for what you are doing for Rana. I look forward to hearing from you.
Rick Filtz
2024-10-19 16:47:38 +0000 UTCHey David, is it possible to send you money and then you can send it through the channels that you know how to do? Please let me know asap. Thank you.
Rick Filtz
2024-10-19 16:29:50 +0000 UTCMy Dearest Rana, my heart is crushed seeing you in such desperate situations. Please, please, please tell me the best way that I can help you. It seems that you have your hard-core faithful followers responding to you on here and I'm sure that together we can send you enough money to help you out. I feel so helpless not knowing the correct way to help you. You are not alone. Forever and always Rana ❤️
Rick Filtz
2024-10-19 16:27:38 +0000 UTCDear Rana, it really makes me very sad to see you in such bad situation and depression! Your desperate struggle for getting along somehow touches my heart and makes my cry too...😢 How I wish I could help you somehow.... As David says, would be Western Union a possibility? Please stay strong and don't give up, we are always with you 🙏 ❤️
Arno Benter
2024-10-19 14:03:02 +0000 UTCPayPal is a definite no. Venmo and CashApp are probably the same. You can't send money into the Lebanese banking system because Lebanese banks are a whole story and a half. You're looking at Western Union or MoneyGram. If using a card, be prepared for the bank's security to automatically decline the transaction. (You'd receive an alert to allow it and can try again.) Otherwise, you'll have to send with actual cash using a kiosk in person. You'll need the receiver's name and telephone number (e-mail and mailing address should be optional). Whatever you do, do not try to transfer money into or through Syria, which would put you in violation of sanctions.
David T
2024-10-19 12:33:47 +0000 UTCVenmo is based in the USA only and cashapp is in America and the UK. Paypal I'm not sure about. Just be careful because I put "palestine" in a cashapp and venmo transaction and i got banned from both
Creflo
2024-10-19 08:47:36 +0000 UTCDoes Venmo or Cashapp work for you? I'd like to be able to send direct donations when able.
Logan Harmon
2024-10-19 03:06:30 +0000 UTCThe late great Michael Jamal Brooks spoke this truth years ago https://youtube.com/shorts/Vb86oDsousI?si=tyejv1FRI5uupDU9
Creflo
2024-10-18 23:17:18 +0000 UTCNo, you're going back on the bus. There's something waiting for you across the border. It should be enough to get by while you figure out what you want to do next.
David T
2024-10-18 21:33:47 +0000 UTCHey David That's incredibly thoughtful and kind of you but I'd rather die than go back to Jordan. I'll update you about my next step soon❤️Thank you❤️
GiddyKitty
2024-10-18 21:31:43 +0000 UTCHi. You don't have to do this alone. Western Union's website is having some issues right at the moment, but I'll have something waiting for you across the border in Jordan this week.
David T
2024-10-18 21:11:14 +0000 UTC
