Room in Knoxville for Maria

She always knew she wanted to be a mother but after she wed, it appeared it was not to be. Malika and her husband lived in Palestine and had been married a few years. But after two IVF attempts, they were still unable to conceive. 

​“You will never bear a child” were the doctor's words and with a heavy heart, Malika re-directed her attention to furthering her education in America.

Malika planned to attend the University of Tennessee and complete her MBA while her husband closed his business and prepared to accompany her. Arrangements were underway and two months before they left, during a routine physical examination, Malika received news that she was pregnant. “How could this be?” she exclaimed. But her husband reassured her, “God has a special plan for this baby”.
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Upon arriving in Knoxville, Malika began her schooling and her husband worked on improving his English while they resided in temporary housing. “There is no room in Knoxville for us or in our living quarters for a baby,” they noted as Malika’s pregnancy progressed. Malika reached out to KIN for assistance and as friendships developed, resources were connected to the little family. A baby shower with needed supplies, an apartment, a mentor for her husband, and even a volunteer to help in the delivery room were made available.

They named their daughter Maria, after the virgin Mary, and proudly exclaimed that this new addition was not only an American citizen, but a “miracle baby”.