I am fundraising for a lovely family of six from Afghanistan. I am a long-time sponsor of refugees and was made aware of their situation by London Ontario’s settlement agency.

The family – parents, an aunt and three children – just arrived as refugees in December. They had worked for Canadian NGOs and had to flee to safety. They need help because, though they received funds to settle in Canada from the Federal government, they were tricked by a scammer who pretended to be from Canada Border Services. They lost it all.

They have no money for furniture and had to borrow to pay first and last month’s rent.

I am collecting donations of furniture for them. I welcome any contributions of that sort. But I am seeking funds as well, to pay back their loan of $4200, so they can start fresh.

The funds and furniture are needed urgently. They are literally sleeping on the floor tonight. The money will be paid to my bank account, and I will pass it along to them in cash. Anything above the goal will be given to them.