[Sjsall] refugee support

Details

Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00

Written by editor

Dear Friends of SJS,

Please see the email below from Kara Shaw (Environmental Studies) asking for financial support for a refugee couple from Afghanistan.

Regards, Margo

Margo L. Matwychuk, PhD

Director, Social Justice Studies

University of Victoria

Territories of the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSANEC Peoples

PO Box 1700 STN CSC

Victoria BC V8W 2Y2

Office: Cornett B210

PH: (250) 721-6283

FAX: (250) 721-6215

We acknowledge and respect the Songhees, Esquimalt and WSÁNEĆ peoples on whose unceded territory the university stands and whose relationships with the land continue to this day.

You have received this email because you signed up for the UVic Social Justice Studies email list. To be removed, send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with "REMOVE" in the subject line.

Hello Friends,

I have some news, and I could use your help. A few friends and I have formed a group to sponsor a refugee couple from Afghanistan.

Thirty-year-old “Fatima” (all identifying information in this letter has been changed to keep this couple safe)... was professionally working to advance women’s rights in Afghanistan until the Taliban seized power in August 2021. She and her husband “Sayed”, 36, managed to escape to a neighbouring country. Their situation in this country is very precarious, as the government makes it extremely difficult for Afghans to stay and many are deported back to Afghanistan.

As a high-profile Afghan woman working for human rights, Fatima remains a target for the Taliban. She continues to receive credible threats, even though she is not in Afghanistan.

Fortunately, the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria (ICA - https://www.icavictoria.org) has agreed to partner with our group to help Fatima and Sayed get to safety in Victoria and start a new life in Canada.

As sponsors, my friends and I must take on legal responsibility for Fatima and Sayed for their first year in Canada. This includes collecting enough money for them to live in Victoria for their first year (an absolute minimum of $28,000). ICA is only able to submit the refugee sponsorship application to the Canadian government when we have secured this money. Thus, there is some urgency to these fundraising efforts.

Please help us right now by donating to the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria. For online donations, please go to the following Website: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E335022QE&id=9

From the dropdown menu, choose CG165-22

Follow the instructions on the screen

You will receive a tax receipt for your donation.

Even better: if you could please make a cheque out to ICA, we will not have to pay credit card processing fees for your donation. Please send your cheque to the following address:

ICA of Greater Victoria

102 – 808 Douglas St.

Victoria, BC V8W 2B6

Cheques must clearly indicate in the subject line that they are a donation for CG165-22. Make sure that the cheque bears the full name and mailing address of the donor.

You will still receive a tax receipt for your donation.

Or: If you do not need a tax receipt, we would be grateful for your cash donations as well. Even small amounts will help us raise the required funds as quickly as possible.

One last thing: If you could share this letter with your friends, it would mean so much. The more people hear about Fatima and Sayed’s cause, the quicker we can help them get to Canada where they can be safe.

Thanks for reading.

Sincerely,

Kara

P.S. All funds raised in excess of the Budget and deposited with ICA will be allocated by ICA, in its sole discretion, to the sponsorship of other refugees.

P.P.S. We will also organize for Fatima and Sayed’s arrival, (e.g. finding accommodation, furnishings, etc.) and help with their integration and adjustment to Canada and Victoria after arriving here. We could use some help with these things as well when the time comes — many hands make light work! If you can help us in this way too, we would appreciate it. Thank you so much.