Help Resettle a Persecuted Christian Family Safely in Canada

Update: The Family Is Safer. Thank You. Now Let’s Get Them To Canada.

As I hope many of you already know, I'm happy to share that Faraz Pervaiz and his extended family have successfully relocated to a safer, undisclosed location within Thailand. Your generosity made this possible .

They’re still nowhere near fully safe though, as Thailand doesn’t recognize refugees, and the threats remain. But they’re out of immediate danger and able to breathe a little easier. To everyone who gave, prayed, or shared: thank you. You helped protect innocent lives and stood up against hatred and violence.

Now we turn to the next chapter: bringing the family to Canada, where they can finally live in freedom and peace.

We need to raise $180,000 CAD, with a stretch goal of $200,000, to privately sponsor 16 member of the family through Canada’s private sponsorship program. This will cover their first year of housing, food, transportation, and basic needs, giving them a real chance to rebuild their lives.

Background

Faraz and his family fled Pakistan in 2014 after false blasphemy accusations and death threats from extremist groups. Their only "crime" was speaking out against Islamic extremism and standing up for human rights.

Because Thailand doesn’t recognize refugees, the family has lived under constant threat—unable to work legally, vulnerable to arrest or deportation, and hunted by extremists.

Faraz personally has a huge bounty on his head, nearby $500,000 including the recent one that prompted their relocation within Thailand. His father and brother are also being directly targeted, and the rest of the family would be brutalized or killed if found.

What The Funds Are For

After speaking with a Sponsorship Agreement Holder here in Canada (they help coordinate private sponsorship groups with the Canadian government), the estimated cost to sponsor this family is $180,000 CAD (~$130,000 USD). That covering one year of living expenses for all four groups, as required by the Canadian Government.

A bit more—say $200,000 CAD (~$144,000 USD) total—would give us a cushion against unexpected costs upon their arrival.

The Plan: Four Family Groups

Because one group sponsoring all 16 people isn’t feasible, we’re dividing the family into four smaller groups:

• Group 1: Faraz’s parents (older) and two of their unmarried adult children. Faraz’s father and brother, both in this group, have also been directly targeted by death threats and bounties.

• Group 2: A husband, wife (Faraz’s sister), and their child.

• Group 3: Another husband, wife (another of Faraz’s sisters), and their child.

• Group 4: A widowed mother (Faraz’s sister-in-law) and her five children. Two of the children have cerebral palsy, one severely. Her husband passed away a few years ago. One of the daughters was raped last year by a Pakistani man searching for Faraz and the family.

I've blurred everyone's faces for safety reasons. Maybe being too cautious, but better safe than sorry.

Just to be clear: Faraz, his wife, and their two children are already approved to come to Canada and are not part of this fundraiser. They were part of the previous emergency relocation appeal however. This new fundraiser is solely for the 16 extended family members who remain in need of sponsorship.

Together, We Can Make It Happen

You’ve already changed the course of this family’s story. Now, let’s finish what we started.

Every gift—no matter the size—brings this family closer to safety, peace, and freedom. If you can’t give, you can still help by sharing this fundraiser and keeping them in your prayers.

If you have questions or would like to know more about the process or the family’s background, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to share documentation and supporting evidence as needed.

Thank you for standing with them. Your help is an answer to prayer.

God bless you all,

—Owen Lewis