Some of you may have been following the remarkable stories of the brave and determined refugee woman we have been trying to help – Lisa, above, Hawah, Osmorasa, Shasheen. Some of you send them money to help them in their new and challenging lives.

Last week, I invited each of them to come to Bedlam Farm and spent a day in the country, with or without their children, when the public schools close for the summer next week.

To my delight, all of them have accepted. They are eager to come and see the donkeys and sheep, go to lunch at the Round House Cafe, and perhaps meet some of the equally remarkable women in my writing class. This group is the nucleus of the woman’s support group Ali and I are trying for form.

They are also eager to meet and talk with American women, Maria and I are thrilled at the idea of their coming to spend a day at the farm. Their kids are very welcome also. Most have never seen a border collie or a donkey, Ali can translate for them in their conversations with some of the women here.

As you can see, I’m pushing for the idea that they are a group, not just a collection of embattled individuals. One of them has already asked me about the me.too movement, an astonishing them for them to see and hear about. I told them it is perhaps best for them to talk to other woman about this over the long haul.

I’ve suggested they form the woman’s support group, I think it will happen.

I sense they admire the independence and freedom of some American woman, I hope it’s a good virus that catches on.

I can’t wait to take photos of them here, and I can’t think of a better use of the farm. If you wish to help in this work, please send a contribution to the Gus Fund, c/o Jon Katz, P.O.  Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected].