Fundraising efforts are underway to help bring a Syrian refugee family to the Town of Petawawa.
Qusai Jokhadar is 26-years-old and been living in a refugee camp in Jordan he was 15. His wife Siwar, now 21-years-old, arrived in the camp at the age of 12.
Both escaped the war in Syria and arrived at the refugee camp in 2012. Their two children (daughter, Sahar who is 3 and son, Ward who is 1) were born in the refugee camp and it’s the only life they have ever known. The family is looking for a better life and hoping to come to Canada.
So far funds have been raised members of the St. John’s Lutheran Church on Black Bay Road to help bring the Jokhadar family to the Ottawa Valley.
Jennifer Neville and Gary Serviss are leading the fundraising effort in the community.
Neville says approximately $36,000 is needed to help the family of four relocate to Canada and live for one year.
Money will be used to pay for things like rent, food, household utilities and other day-to-day living expenses.
Neville says the family can’t go back to Syria, they can’t claim refugee status where they are in Jordan so coming to Canada and moving to Petawawa gives them hope at a better life.
She adds Quasi is hard working and willing to take on any job.
Serviss says the family is extremely grateful for the opportunity to come to Petawawa and says it was very emotional reading the letters they wrote.
He adds Petawawa has all the amenities a new family needs.
Both Qusai and Siwar have both expressed their interests in moving to Petawawa, working in the community and having their children attend Valour JK-12 School.
The Canadian Lutheran World Relief organization has agreed to be the main Sponsorship Agreement Holder for this family meaning they are responsible for all administrative aspects of the sponsorship program including preparing paperwork and submitting it to Immigration Canada.
Neville says this process is very complicated and time consuming and could take up to a year to complete.
The St. John’s Lutheran Church of Petawawa has agreed to be the official co-sponsor organization.
As co-sponsors the St. John’s Lutheran Church will provide the family with clothing, furniture, help identify local interpreters, connect with health care services and providers, enrol the kids in school and help the family adjust to life in Canada and in particular, Petawawa.
St. John’s Lutheran Church has also pledged $5,000 towards the fundraising goal.
Immigration Canada has a sponsorship guide which indicates that $36,000 would be required to cover the family’s costs for their first year in Petawawa.
The $36,000 will be administered monthly to the family by the Canadian Lutheran World Relief.
A bank account has been set up at the TD Canada Trust in Petawawa and the following email address can be used to e-transfer your donations: petawawarefugees@gmail.com
The St. John’s Lutheran Church in Petawawa has a Canada Revenue Agency charity registration number of: 119180586RP00001 and will issue tax receipts for your generous donations.
