Why do you call them the Farhat* family?

It’s a sad reality in the world that we need to take steps to protect their identity and prevent anyone from being able to link back this information with them in Thailand. They are at risk of being arrested and brought to a detention center if they are found by police. If you would like more precise details, or even to see a picture of this beautiful family, please contact us and I can speak with you over the phone or in person.

Previously, we called them the Smith family. The original intention was to use a name where their nationality was totally obscured, but that isn’t necessary. The Farhat’s wishes have been at the center of all of these decisions.

Why is the process taking so long? Isn’t there an easier way to sponsor them?

There are several ways refugees can be brought into Canada, but only one avenue for the Farhats since they do not have UN status. We have checked with various experienced aid groups and repeatedly heard that we must go through a Sponsorship Agreement Holder organization. For now, we have partnered with an SAH that has given us additional training and the paperwork to start the applications for two out of the six Farhats.

How can you be sure that their story is genuine?

Discernment is a key part of any sort of charity or aid work and since we’re newcomers to this ministry, that’s where our hearts landed first. That’s why in the early stages, Sandy and I corroborated the Farhats story with other contacts. We have heard from people that know them in Thailand, as well as members of a different SAH that successfully sponsored one of the Farhats’ friends recently (for procedural reasons, they can’t sponsor the Farhats directly). We have also seen the documents that clearly show different aspects of religious persecution in their home country, including death threats.

Why are you focusing so much on raising money?

When refugees land in Canada, the sponsors that helped them apply are required to support them with a minimum amount of money so that they can afford basic living expenses and give them the opportunity to find education and work without so much financial pressure to work right away. The money must be in-hand before an application can start, which is why we’re only sponsoring two out of the six currently. All of the money raised will go directly to the Farhats. The total amount is based on the community the refugees will arrive in, and is given to them semi weekly when they arrive.

Once the Farhats start to arrive in Canada, we will definitely be in touch for items like furniture, clothing, food etc., but the typical applicant only arrives about two years after the application is submitted.

The fundraising goal has gone up, what’s going on?

Like many other aspects of life, inflation has increased the minimum financial support that the Canadian government requires for sponsors to provide to each refugee when they arrive. After being given the updated requirements by the SAH we’re working with, we can now precisely say that we need $114,099.34 to sponsor all six of the Farhat family. While in exile from their original country, one of the Farhats got married and we have included the spouse in this fundraising increase as well.

This running total is set to increase more or less in step with inflation, so we’re currently working with $120k as a more realistic goal.

I don’t have any money to give, what can I do?

We of course understand that fundraising during the beginnings of a recession is a tall order, and many of our friends and family are scraping by as is. However, there are several ways that you can help. First and foremost, we are looking for one more person to sign up to be a sponsor along with the four of us who have committed already. This means helping settle the Farhats when they arrive and take care of them for the first year. There are no qualifications necessary, except that all sponsors must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents. To be a co-sponsor, you do not have to live in Vancouver.

Second, we will be asking for other resources when the Farhats eventually arrive (see the paragraph above about raising money).

Thirdly, we need to get the word out, since it really does take a village to make this process happen. If you know someone that cares about their neighbours or combatting persecution and injustice in the world, please connect them with this website and help us tell them the Farhats’ story.

What can I tell others about this family as a way of raising awareness?

We would be overjoyed if others would also start to spread the word about this family in need, thank you. Please limit whatever you tell people to what is posted on this website; it’s important that their real names and precise details aren’t recorded in text.