French family of seven living in Sharjah on charity hopes for amnesty

Sharjah - Her husband deserted her two years ago and went back to Pakistan.

A French woman and her six children living in Sharjah on charity and without residential visas since last two years are hoping amnesty will give them a second chance in the UAE.
The children - three boys and three girls, aged between 4 and 16 - are not going to school, according to their mother.
"It is not their fault that they are in this bad situation. I have been desperately trying to find a job to legalise our status and send my children to school but without any luck. I hope amnesty will give us a chance to start afresh," Fadila told Khaleej Times.
The woman in her late 40s claimed she was left to fend for the children when her Pakistani husband deserted her two years ago and went back to his home country.
"My three boys are from my first marriage and were living in Montpellier, France, till 2016. I was travelling often to be with them. Later I brought them to the UAE to live with me. My new husband thought they were a burden and he left us," alleged Fadila.
She said she left France in 2007 where she had a small clothing business, and came to the UAE because "life was not easy for a Muslim." "I opened a salon on Buhairah Corniche in Sharjah with the money I had saved up. I also met my new husband and we got married at the French Consulate in 2008. We had three daughters but all of them were born in France because I was travelling home every three months," said Fadila.
According to her, marital bliss was short-lived as the family ran into financial difficulties after her salon closed down and her husband's business hit bad times.
"I understand it was not easy on him to support six children. I did not expect him to abandon us. I had no money and I was on the streets with my children. I survived on kindness from random strangers. I was hauling my children from one hotel apartment to another till I found a shared villa in Sharjah two months ago," added Fadila, tearing up.
The family is sleeping in one room in the villa where they are allowed to use the visitors room. "I am counting on the charity of neighbours and well-wishers. But how long can I do this. I am knocking on all doors to find a job."
Another French woman who is currently helping the single mother, told Khaleej Times the family did not have any food or proper clothing when she found them in Sharjah a few months ago.
"I was shocked. My first priority was to get them some food and clothing for children and other basic needs. Some of my friends have also pitched in and now we are helping her pay Dh3,500 as monthly rent for her place," said the woman who requested not to be named.
Despite the difficult conditions, Fadila and her children said going back to France was not an option.
"Life was different there. Though I was going to school, I always felt like an outsider. I like it here. But I am sad to see my mother struggle because of us," said Chemss, her eldest son.
And for Fadila, finding a fresh start in the UAE is important as children are solely dependent on her. "Both my husbands are not financially supporting me. I am mother and I have to fight this battle alone."
anjana@khaleejtimes.com

• UAE
• Sharjah