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Hi there! Thanks for visiting our page! We are a group of young adults in Ottawa, Ontario, who are planning to sponsor a refugee family.
What do we hope to accomplish?
Our goal is to be able to offer financial, and emotional support to a refugee family for the minimum length of 1-year. We plan to provide them with all necessary resources, such as access to health care, trauma counselling, career counselling, food, and a warm home. We are committed to helping them integrate into our communities, and will supply them with the opportunities to gain access to things such as support groups, volunteer opportunities, language lessons, and schooling. We have developed an in-depth, detailed plan in regards to the financial and time commitments this plan requires, and we are eager to make it our reality.
While this is an ambitious undertaking, we are passionately committed to doing all that we can to support our family.
While we have become thoroughly familiar with the sponsorship application process, we are unable to apply until we have proof of financial ability. Once we are approved, the application is relatively swift, and we can be matched with a family in a matter of days.
Now, here are some numbers and facts to support why were doing this, and to help put things in perspective!
What caused there to be so many refugees?
- Some theorists say the security gap caused by the Iraq war allowed radical groups to develop to be as large as they are.
- These group's brutal take over of the politically fragile Syria is one of the main causes of Syrian refugees.
- This war has only become deadlier since foreign powers have joined in.
- Since international intervention is part of the cause, it should absolutely be part of the solution!
- 12 million people have fled their homes and 4 million have been granted refugee status
- Ottawa's entire population is 883,391! This means that there are 4.5 refugees for every 1 person in Ottawa, and if every person in Ottawa alone decided to sponsor a four person family there would be no more refugees! -- We will start :)
How do you become a registered refugee?
A popular topic of conversation lately in light of the coming influx of refugees has been Canadian security. An important topic, so we have decided to outline the following:
- Why have only 4 million of the 12 million people who have fled their homes qualified for refugee status? Because it’s a huge, lengthy process, composed of the following:
-Letter of confirmation: This is just to confirm that they even received your request!
-Application assessment process: A visa officer confirms that you have filled out your forms properly, then a personal interview is usually requested, in which you, and your dependents have to explain why you consider yourself a refugee.
-Collection of biometric information: Finger prints, eye scans and photo ID are all collected, ensuring that when you eventually arrive in Canada its actually you, the same person who has already gone through this huge process.
-Processing time: If there are any discrepancies, the process takes longer to ensure no mistakes are made. This can take a long time!
-Medical examination: You and your dependents must pass the medical examination before you enter Canada to ensure the safety of Canadian citizens.
-Criminal and Security Checks: If you have a criminal record or may pose a threat to Canadian security for any reason, your application will be denied.
-Change of address: If you move you must notify CIC immediately. Imagine how difficult this would be for refugees, fleeing from their homes!
-The decision on your application: If your application is approved you will receive a visa and Confirmation of permanent residency. That means your family will have the ability to work as soon as they are physically and emotionally able!
-Traveling to Canada: CIC will grant you a loan to travel to Canada, this means a refugee begins with debt when they enter Canada, so they need our help!
To put this more into perspective, here is the process for applying for a work visa in Canada:
-Determine if you apply online or on paper
-Get the documents from your employer
-Get the application package
-Pay the application fees
-Submit your application
Really, would it make any sense for someone to apply for refugee status unless they were truly in need of refugee status? For someone with ill intentions to come to Canada, it would be much faster for them to simply apply for a work visa.
What is happening in this ongoing conflict, and who is it affecting?
-Syria's health care, education and infrastructure have completely crumbled, leaving the 4.8 million people still living there unable to access basic resources.
-This explains why so many families were willing to flee their homes, leave everything they know, and make life threatening trips to foreign places where they don't know the language or culture.
-Over 240,000 people have died, 12, 000 of these being children.
-Over one million have been wounded or permanently disabled.
-Over 50% of all registered refugees are children
-Many children left in Syria are forcibly recruited to take part in the war efforts as fighters and to play a part in other supporting rolls.
-The US state department has recruited children in Syria to play a part in the war efforts
As a result of the war, the U.N children's agency claims that 10 years of educational progress has been lost, and approximately 3 million children do not have access to formal education. These children will likely have to take part in accelerated learning programs when they are eventually resettled, making it all the more important to ensure they are welcomed into a loving, supportive community.
What can YOU do to help?
By taking the time to read this, hopefully you have learned a little bit more about the current hardships the refugees are facing. Through a donation of any amount, you are bringing us closer to our financial requirement, making this that much more possible! With our target amount being an ambitious goal, we plan to partner with a larger organization in Ottawa if it is not reached independently within a reasonable amount of time. This organization is one whom started out with the exact same goal as us, and now having expanded, has the resources to settle 5 refugee families. Each dollar donated will contribute to the living cost of our family, not limited to but including: Housing, food, clothing, acces to public transportation, and school supplies.
If you are unable to donate, please consider:
-Sharing our page to your friends, family, or colleagues to spread the word!
-Sharing any concerns, questions, or comments you may have with us - this could only help make our plan stronger!
We will be enthusiastically updating all those who would like to be updated, allowing you to see first hand the impact you have made!
All of your donations will go directly to our family, apart from GoFundMe's service collection percentage.
If you would like to learn more about the refugee crisis, please visit:
http://www.worldvision.org/news-stories-videos/syria-war-refugee-crisis
Together we can make a difference!
What do we hope to accomplish?
Our goal is to be able to offer financial, and emotional support to a refugee family for the minimum length of 1-year. We plan to provide them with all necessary resources, such as access to health care, trauma counselling, career counselling, food, and a warm home. We are committed to helping them integrate into our communities, and will supply them with the opportunities to gain access to things such as support groups, volunteer opportunities, language lessons, and schooling. We have developed an in-depth, detailed plan in regards to the financial and time commitments this plan requires, and we are eager to make it our reality.
While this is an ambitious undertaking, we are passionately committed to doing all that we can to support our family.
While we have become thoroughly familiar with the sponsorship application process, we are unable to apply until we have proof of financial ability. Once we are approved, the application is relatively swift, and we can be matched with a family in a matter of days.
Now, here are some numbers and facts to support why were doing this, and to help put things in perspective!
What caused there to be so many refugees?
- Some theorists say the security gap caused by the Iraq war allowed radical groups to develop to be as large as they are.
- These group's brutal take over of the politically fragile Syria is one of the main causes of Syrian refugees.
- This war has only become deadlier since foreign powers have joined in.
- Since international intervention is part of the cause, it should absolutely be part of the solution!
- 12 million people have fled their homes and 4 million have been granted refugee status
- Ottawa's entire population is 883,391! This means that there are 4.5 refugees for every 1 person in Ottawa, and if every person in Ottawa alone decided to sponsor a four person family there would be no more refugees! -- We will start :)
How do you become a registered refugee?
A popular topic of conversation lately in light of the coming influx of refugees has been Canadian security. An important topic, so we have decided to outline the following:
- Why have only 4 million of the 12 million people who have fled their homes qualified for refugee status? Because it’s a huge, lengthy process, composed of the following:
-Letter of confirmation: This is just to confirm that they even received your request!
-Application assessment process: A visa officer confirms that you have filled out your forms properly, then a personal interview is usually requested, in which you, and your dependents have to explain why you consider yourself a refugee.
-Collection of biometric information: Finger prints, eye scans and photo ID are all collected, ensuring that when you eventually arrive in Canada its actually you, the same person who has already gone through this huge process.
-Processing time: If there are any discrepancies, the process takes longer to ensure no mistakes are made. This can take a long time!
-Medical examination: You and your dependents must pass the medical examination before you enter Canada to ensure the safety of Canadian citizens.
-Criminal and Security Checks: If you have a criminal record or may pose a threat to Canadian security for any reason, your application will be denied.
-Change of address: If you move you must notify CIC immediately. Imagine how difficult this would be for refugees, fleeing from their homes!
-The decision on your application: If your application is approved you will receive a visa and Confirmation of permanent residency. That means your family will have the ability to work as soon as they are physically and emotionally able!
-Traveling to Canada: CIC will grant you a loan to travel to Canada, this means a refugee begins with debt when they enter Canada, so they need our help!
To put this more into perspective, here is the process for applying for a work visa in Canada:
-Determine if you apply online or on paper
-Get the documents from your employer
-Get the application package
-Pay the application fees
-Submit your application
Really, would it make any sense for someone to apply for refugee status unless they were truly in need of refugee status? For someone with ill intentions to come to Canada, it would be much faster for them to simply apply for a work visa.
What is happening in this ongoing conflict, and who is it affecting?
-Syria's health care, education and infrastructure have completely crumbled, leaving the 4.8 million people still living there unable to access basic resources.
-This explains why so many families were willing to flee their homes, leave everything they know, and make life threatening trips to foreign places where they don't know the language or culture.
-Over 240,000 people have died, 12, 000 of these being children.
-Over one million have been wounded or permanently disabled.
-Over 50% of all registered refugees are children
-Many children left in Syria are forcibly recruited to take part in the war efforts as fighters and to play a part in other supporting rolls.
-The US state department has recruited children in Syria to play a part in the war efforts
As a result of the war, the U.N children's agency claims that 10 years of educational progress has been lost, and approximately 3 million children do not have access to formal education. These children will likely have to take part in accelerated learning programs when they are eventually resettled, making it all the more important to ensure they are welcomed into a loving, supportive community.
What can YOU do to help?
By taking the time to read this, hopefully you have learned a little bit more about the current hardships the refugees are facing. Through a donation of any amount, you are bringing us closer to our financial requirement, making this that much more possible! With our target amount being an ambitious goal, we plan to partner with a larger organization in Ottawa if it is not reached independently within a reasonable amount of time. This organization is one whom started out with the exact same goal as us, and now having expanded, has the resources to settle 5 refugee families. Each dollar donated will contribute to the living cost of our family, not limited to but including: Housing, food, clothing, acces to public transportation, and school supplies.
If you are unable to donate, please consider:
-Sharing our page to your friends, family, or colleagues to spread the word!
-Sharing any concerns, questions, or comments you may have with us - this could only help make our plan stronger!
We will be enthusiastically updating all those who would like to be updated, allowing you to see first hand the impact you have made!
All of your donations will go directly to our family, apart from GoFundMe's service collection percentage.
If you would like to learn more about the refugee crisis, please visit:
http://www.worldvision.org/news-stories-videos/syria-war-refugee-crisis
Together we can make a difference!