Let not poverty set apart two loving hearts

I am Fahima Chowdhury and I badly want to raise some money. I have a dream like ordinary folks do in my neighborhood. I would like to get married this upcoming March, and so do my elder brothers. Marriage has become a distant dream to us since it requires a lot of money. My dad, as a handyman earns very little and so do my brothers; their income is hardly enough to make ends meet for our family.

I have spared my parents the hectic task of finding a suitable match for me as I am deeply in love with my boyfriend. We met in Pakistan, and have been maintaining our relationship a secret because our parents would never approve of it. Fearing their disowning on knowing our relationship, I have distanced myself apart from my boyfriend these past 3 years. It pains me a lot to stay from the one person who cares for me. Both of us do not wish to hurt our family members either, and would love to get married with their full support and wishes.

As my parents are contemplating the marriage of my two elder brothers, I expressed my wish to get married to my mother. She did not appear to care since desi weddings cost a fortune to families, and I can very well understand the ordeal of my parents who have three manageable children at home. Worse still, even as I aspire to to earn to increase the family income along with my dad and my brothers, no one is willing to hire me citing my inexperience. My dad believes that girls should not work, and he would not allow me to work even if I had one. Therefore, as days pass, the possibilities, of wedding bells ringing for me seem to fade away before my helpless eyes. I long to get united with my sweetheart without burdening my parents.

Social taboo does not permit me to meet him for the 3 years that I have stayed in Pakistan. It is much heartening to see my mom's worry about our family's helplessness to get me married on one hand, and fear of her daughter secretly meeting her hearts love on the other. To me, happiness is only spending the rest of my life with him. With lack of money playing havoc on my marriage and tends to tilt my life towards darkness, I believe kind-hearted people like you can light up my life through generous donations.

I solicit your support to fulfill my goal for marrying my boyfriend this March. I also sincerely vow to remain grateful to those who help me, and continue to pray for their families.