Help bring Rashid's family to Canada

Hello. My name is Rashid. I am 19 years old. Less than one year ago, I was given a wonderful gift. I was sponsored as a refugee and brought to Canada. This saved my life and provided me with an opportunity for education, health care, human rights, and hope for a future. I lost my family when my home was bombed in the middle of the night when I was 11 years old. My parents and my brother and sisters fled for our lives. I lost them that night and I thought they had been killed.

Seven years later, I was welcomed into a family and a community in Peterborough, Ontario. Many people helped with my sponsorship and many more welcomed me and provided me with love and friendship. I have worked very hard to make them all proud of me. I have been going to school and studying English as well as other courses. I started working less than one month after arriving here and I have saved for my dream of going to college or university.

But two months ago, I received another gift. My family was found. My parents, my sisters, and my brother are all alive. We spoke on video call and I could finally tell them that I was alive and safe and that I was now living in the best place in the world. I could tell them that I was working hard and building a life.

I was so happy to learn that my family was alive, but they were far from being safe. They have been living in very dangerous conditions and they have no future where they are. They have been affected by war and destruction. They are also impacted by the recent earthquakes. They do not have a home, health care, or any chance at a decent life where they are. I want to sponsor them and give them the same chance that Canada gave me. I was working hard at my job and saving money for an education. I will use all of my education savings to help my family. I know they will work as hard for this opportunity as I have.

Before I can make an application to sponsor my family, I must raise $45,000 to cover their living expenses in the first year in Canada.

Canada saved me. Now, I hope to save my family.

Please help me bring them here to safety.

Thank you

Rashid Sheikh Hassan