- I
- M
- J
[See bottom for update]
In Sahar's Words:
My name is Sahar, I am 17 and was born in Kabul, Afghanistan. My father was a medical doctor at the Hospital. My parents have 5 boys and 3 girls. I am the oldest child of the family. Our family is from the persecuted Hazara Shia Muslim ethnic group, hated by the Taliban.
I have escaped to Canada and I am working with friends from Vancouver Unitarians to rescue my family from the Taliban.
This money will be used to facilitate relocation from Pakistan to Canada.
[Update]
Good news: We've reached the minimum level required by the Canadian government to submit the family's paperwork. We will continue to fundraise because the government minimums don't include:
- High cost of living in Vancouver
- Travel costs (flights and usually a one-day hotel because Pakistan is so far from Vancouver)
- Potential visa costs, which are VERY substantial in Pakistan, because they use it as a way to raise money for the government.
- Bribes to police officers necessary to get them to actually pay attention to the visas.
- Unexpected medical/dental costs which often arise when they get here and need root canals or something else not covered by the Canadian government.
- And of course...we hope that the kids will go to secondary education and need tuition!