30th Birthday Refugee Fundraiser

I'm turning 30, and amongst other things, I have started balding and complaining about teenagers. This also means that I have gained the wisdom to understand how fortunate I am.

I would love to take this opportunity to raise funds to help a group of people very close to my heart, refugees. Many of you know that my mother and I came to this country in 1991 as refugees of the Eritrean War of Independence. The Canadian government, through a program for women at risk, sponsored my mother and I. I was born in a refugee camp outside of Al Qadarif, Sudan and after a short stay there we went to Khartoum, Sudan to seek sponsorship as political refugees. It took over 3 years, but we were lucky enough to be chosen for a new life in Canada.

Unfortunately the hardship was not over for my mother, coming to a new country where she did not know the language or culture, she was faced with challenges every day. Through government programs, my mother and I were given financial, educational, and cultural support. Through this support, the transition to our new lives was made easier.

MOSAIC, an organization based in Vancouver, is one of the biggest re-settlement organizations in Canada. They provide a wide array of services to refugees and immigrants who are new to this country. Some of the things they specialize in include; employment assistance, education, counselling, and intercultural support. The organization was founded in 1976 by a group of volunteers who came from immigrant and refugee backgrounds.

By donating to this fundraiser, you will give a helping hand to some of the thousands of refugees that will embark on the same journey my mother and I did in 1991. My life has been forever changed by the generosity of Canadians, its now my turn to give back and I would love it if you would join me.

Thank you for your help.