Who we’re sponsoring: Jesen, a 21-year-old Syrian refugee.

His situation: Refugee trying to survive in Beirut, Lebanon during a pandemic.

The opportunity: Private sponsorship to Canada.

Fundraising goal: $18,00 required for Jesen's first year in Canada. We are able to provide tax receipts if we have your contact Information.  

His advantages: A strong will. A community and network in Toronto, ON to support him. Seven years of practice in dancing and the passion to pursue his creative expression. 


HIS STORY

Born in Syria, Jesen grew up with an abusive father left the family when he was a teenager. He moved to Beirut with his family when the war in Syria destroyed his home and school, and killed his brother. His family resides in very poor conditions and under constant threat of evacuation and deportation back to Syria. Jesen is very passionate about expressing himself through music and dancing and he is a very talented person who deserves to be free and in a safe place.

THE PROJECT


Artists and dancers are a natural pairing - they both communicate story and emotion and want to share that with an audience. For this project, the fundraisers are asking artists and musicians to donate their creative gifts to Jesen.

Musicians are donating a song to Jesen. He will then choreograph and perform an original dance in a video recording, which we will then share. We ask that as patrons of music, art, and dance that you support a thriving community of artists supporting artists. Artists can donate pieces to be auctioned at an upcoming live event to take place once Covid restrictions allow. 

All of the money donated goes for Jesen’s first year in Canada. We know that money is tight because of the pandemic economy but we ask that you donate whatever you’re able to afford so that artists can keep creating and people can keep helping those who need help. 



I am Jesen and I am 21. I’m originally in Syria but I currently reside in Lebanon.  I was 12 when the war started in Syria. I fled with my family to Lebanon after our home was destroyed by shelling. My abusive father left us for another woman. I lost friends and teachers who died under our destroyed school. I was in the seventh grade when I was forced to stop going to school. I love learning. While I have been in Lebanon, I am teaching myself to speak English with the help of the internet, in particular, videos on YouTube. My brother was forced to join the army and was killed shortly after. And I lost my teenage years and had to become the man of the house at a very young age. 


DESTROYED HOME



We fled to Beirut, Lebanon, a dangerous trip that took 12 hours where we had to pass military checkpoints and border security. Fortunately, we were able to find an apartment to live in, but life in Lebanon is a struggle. We are undocumented. This means we cannot work legally. Sometimes, people took advantage of us for that. We could barely find work before COVID-19, but the pandemic made it now impossible. On top of that, there was a devastating explosion that hit Beirut in August 2020 and made everything even worse. We have no future here. 


HIS DREAM 




I love to dance and listen to music, like songs by Frank Sinatra. I went to a dance academy in Damascus and I still dance whenever I can. I dream of becoming a professional dancer and actor. But most of all, I want to live freely and in safety. I am hoping to come to Canada so that I can help my mother and sister to freedom as well. But I need your help to raise the funds needed to support my application to come to Canada. Please help. 



THERE IS HOPE




Jesen is a kind-hearted, ambitious and resilient person who would make a wonderful addition to this country. A group of private citizens in Toronto Canada, including Ellie Nielsen , William Croson , and Yazan Alhajali , have teamed up to bring  Jesen to a better life in Canada under the Canadian government’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees program.


Before we can submit an application to the Canadian government, we need to confirm that we have the funds necessary to support Jesen’s first 12 months in Canada. This fundraiser set out to raise CAD $18,000. Your donation will help contribute to Jesen’s first year in Canada, including shelter, food, clothing, furniture and start-up costs. EVERY dollar that you give will go toward Jesen’s first year of support.


All funds received will be deposited into the personal account of Gabrielle (Ellie) Nielsen at the Tangerine Bank. Documentation of funds in this account will be submitted to the Canadian government along with Jesen’s application. When Jesen arrives in Toronto, Canada, these funds will be dispensed to Jesen on a monthly basis for their first 12 months in Canada. This process will be carried entirely in close coordination with a Sponsorship Agreement Holder organization. 


If you have questions or want to know more about Jesen, please contact their Canadian friends Ellie, William or Yazan on Facebook.  

Thank you for your support.

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