Fundraiser started for Salmon Arm woman whose death ended dream of new life

Following the sudden death of Yassmine A. Yayli, a new mother who recently immigrated from Morocco to Salmon Arm, a GoFundMe has been started to support her young family.

In a social media post sharing the fundraiser, the Shuswap Immigrant Services Society (SISS) said Yassmine, 32, and her husband Hasan arrived her two years ago and “worked incredibly hard” to get the stability of Permanent Residency last year. This February, they welcomed their baby girl Ela Sophia, which brought “immense happiness and meaning to their journey,” before the unthinkable happened.

After being hospitalized in mid-April, Yassmine died within 24 hours, leaving her husband and daughter to grieve far from the support of family and loved ones in Morocco.

According to the GoFundMe started by Cem Doganay, her family is now faced with the “heartbreaking task” of taking Yassmine home to Morocco. All funds raised will go directly to covering the costs of repatriating Yassmine, plane tickets for Hasan and Ela Sophia and travel expenses for relatives, with any remainder supporting the financial needs of the baby.

“No family should have to worry about finances while mourning the loss of a young mother taken far too soon,” Doganay said, with all contributions, no matter how small, making a difference and greatly appreciated.

Started just seven days ago, the fund has already exceeded its $30,000 goal and currently sits at $32,584, with SISS providing insight on the kind of person Yassmine.

“Our team at SISS had the privilege of working with Yassmine closely. She was a truly wonderful person, always smiling, kind-hearted and full of hope,” the organization said in its post. “She carried a light that you could feel the moment she walked into a room and we will all miss her dearly.”