[Sundaycommunity] Refugee Sponsorship

[Mario Calla]

About six years ago our Sunday Community sponsored a Syrian refugee family,
the Sabehs. I'm happy to report that they are doing very well. Fuad has his
own construction business renovating homes. Ola works with developmentally
delayed adults. Grace, their oldest, just started first year at Queens U.
Joud is an A student in his final year of high school and Lily is doing
well in grade seven.

About two years ago they approached me to see if we could sponsor their
cousin, Amer, who was stuck in Abu Dhabi with no status. Amer's situation
as a refugee and a Christian made it impossible for him to get work and he
was in constant fear of being deported back to Syria. I agreed to make an
application for sponsorship and asked my colleagues at the Afghan Women's
Organization to co-sponsor as they are Sponsorship Agreement Holders with
the federal government.  I am happy to report that after an anxious two
years, IRCC has informed us that Amer has been approved as a refugee and
will be arriving by the end of this month. We have a guest room in our home
and can accommodate Amer until we can find him a place of his own.

The reason for my email is to see if you wish to participate in this
sponsorship by supporting Amer financially. He will need support for his
living expenses and for rent, once he moves on his own. I anticipate that
he will not take long to find work as he is young (33 years old), speaks
English well, has a post-secondary education and has experience in
banking, accounting and customer service. I think we will need to raise
about $14,000 to see him through his first year here.

I have made arrangements with the Afghan Women's Organization, a registered
charity, to manage the funds and to provide tax receipts for anyone who
donates. You can donate in two ways:

   1. By cheque, payable to the Afghan Women's Organization, Att'n A.
   Niazi, 150 Consumers Rd., Unit 203, North York, Ontario M2J 1P9, Canada.
   Please write 'Syrian Refugees' on the memo line.
   2. By credit card on the Canada Helps website: AFGHAN WOMEN'S
   ORGANIZATION REFUGEE AND IMMIGRANT SERVICES | Charity Profile | Donate
   Online | Canadahelps
   <https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/afghan-womens-counselling-integration-community-support-organization/>
    On the 'Send a message to this charity' box write 'Syrian Refugees'

Getting started in a new country is expensive. All funds raised by the
Syrian Refugees Fund will be distributed to Amer, even if he finds work
early.

Thank you for considering my request.

God bless,

Mario
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