Good That Mother Was Gone Before She Could Witness This: A Memoir Project
A memoir of exile and survival, giving voice to a silenced people.
Help Publish “Good That Mother Was Gone”: A Uyghur Memoir of Survival and Voice
A memoir of exile and survival by Uyghur writer Kasim Kashgar — preserving silenced voices and bringing the truth of Uyghur life to the world.
United States
About the Memoir
Good That Mother Was Gone Before She Could Witness This is a memoir-in-progress by Uyghur writer and journalist Kasim Kashgar.
Through 24 chapters of literary nonfiction, the book traces his journey from childhood in Kashgar to forced exile in the United States, while bearing witness to the repression, disappearance, and erasure of Uyghur identity in China.
Why It Matters
Hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs remain silenced or detained. Kasim’s voice is one of the few able to speak freely. This memoir is not only his personal story — it is the record of a people, a culture, and a struggle for survival.
Your Support Makes It Possible
With your support, Kasim will dedicate the year to completing, editing, and preparing this vital book for publication and global readership. Contributions will fund:
Good That Mother Was Gone Before She Could Witness This is a memoir-in-progress by Uyghur writer and journalist Kasim Kashgar.
Through 24 chapters of literary nonfiction, the book traces his journey from childhood in Kashgar to forced exile in the United States, while bearing witness to the repression, disappearance, and erasure of Uyghur identity in China.
Why It Matters
Hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs remain silenced or detained. Kasim’s voice is one of the few able to speak freely. This memoir is not only his personal story — it is the record of a people, a culture, and a struggle for survival.
Your Support Makes It Possible
With your support, Kasim will dedicate the year to completing, editing, and preparing this vital book for publication and global readership. Contributions will fund:
- Writing time
- Professional editing
- Communications and outreach
- Early book launch preparation
Every donation helps preserve and share a truth the Chinese state has tried to erase.
Rewards for Supporters
To honor your generosity, we are offering symbolic rewards that recognize your role in keeping this story alive. (All rewards are listed with Market Value: $0, making donations fully deductible.)
- $25 — Witness
Name listed on the Supporters of Truth page on my website and campaign updates. - $100 — Keeper of Memory
A personalized digital thank-you with a Uyghur proverb/blessing card designed for the campaign. - $250 — Voice Amplifier
Exclusive behind-the-scenes writing update shared only with backers at this level and above. - $1,000 — Story Circle
Invitation to a private online Q&A session with Kasim after the manuscript draft is complete. - $5,000 — Patron of Truth
Special acknowledgment in the Supporters of Truth archive on Kasim’s website, highlighting your role as a sustaining patron. - $10,000 — Founding Ally
Private one-on-one conversation with Kasim about the memoir and broader Uyghur struggle .
Goal & How Funds Will Be Used
Goal: $50,000
This covers one year of full-time writing and editing, outreach to early readers, and preparation for publication.
This covers one year of full-time writing and editing, outreach to early readers, and preparation for publication.
This is an ambitious but essential goal. Even if the full target is not reached, every dollar directly supports the writing and preservation of this story.
For donations of $2,000 or more, we encourage giving by check or wire transfer to avoid credit card fees. Please contact us for details.
Spread the Word
Please share this campaign widely with friends, colleagues, and communities. Together, we can ensure this story reaches readers, educators, and future generations worldwide.
Use #UyghurMemoir to help build momentum.
Rewards
Witness
Donate $25.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Your name will be listed on the Supporters of Truth page of my website and in campaign updates, honoring your role in helping preserve a story that must be told.
7 claimed
Keeper of Memory
Donate $100.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Receive a personalized digital thank-you message designed for this campaign. A symbolic gesture to honor your support for truth.
3 claimed
Voice Amplifier
Donate $250.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Gain exclusive access to behind-the-scenes updates on the progress of the memoir, shared only with supporters at this level and above.
1 claimed
Story Circle
Donate $1,000.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Invitation to a private online Q&A session with Kasim after the manuscript draft is complete, offered exclusively to supporters at this level and above.
0 claimed
Patron of Truth
Donate $5,000.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Receive special acknowledgment in the Supporters of Truth archive on Kasim’s website, highlighting your role as a sustaining patron of this memoir project.
0 claimed
Founding Ally
Donate $10,000.00 or more
Amount is fully tax-deductible.
Enjoy a private one-on-one conversation with Kasim about the memoir and the broader work of preserving Uyghur memory and truth, offered exclusively to supporters at this level.
0 claimed