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URGENT: Sponsored Afghan Family Needs Help!

Donations Needed ASAP: Refugee Family Arrives Wednesday!!


Sponsored Afghani Family Due to Arrive in Toronto May 10th!!
THEY NEED YOUR HELP.

ONLY $25 in Donations received to date -- Still trying to at least gather first and last month's rent.

OCAP is frequently forced to put out funding appeal, and as an organization we are very fortunate in that our base of members and supporters are always willing to help out as much as they can. We realize that many of you are stretched to the limit, and called on time and again to help out with a whole range of efforts. But, here we are, in a bit of a pinch again and needing to ask folks to please circulate and respond to this request.

A family of 8 is arriving in Toronto on Wednesday to try to re-settle here. They will be coming in with virtually nothing and at the very least we are trying to raise enough for first and last month's rent so that they can get a place of their own quickly. In the meantime, they'll be staying with a community activist and single mom who is already pressed to make ends meet and could really use some financial support to help her offset the costs of feeding 8 extra people for the next couple of weeks.

-----Please read on and circulate this appeal widely------

In 2002, OCAP was approached by an Afghani activist who asked us to try to sponsor a family she knew to be in dire straits. Anisa Sahebzadah was living illegally in Pakistan with her 5 daughters, having fled Afghanistan after her husband was killed during a US bombing. OCAP put out the call and 5 people came forward to sponsor the family. Now, finally, 4 years later, we have been notified that the family is due to arrive in Toronto May 10th.

It is going to be very tough for Anisa to find a job quickly that enables her to care for herself and her children without relying on social assistance. As a sponsored refugee this is the government's expectation of her. We would ask for your help in making sure Anisa and her kids feel welcomed and have a chance to get on their feet.


FINANCIAL DONATIONS: We are trying to raise $5000 to cover first and last months rent and basic start up/settlement costs. PLease, make whatever donation you can, and approach your union or faith group for support. Ask that cheques be made out to OCAP and marked "Afghani sponsorship". Cheques can be mailed or dropped off at:

OCAP
10 Britain St
Toronto, ON
M5A 1R6

*** charitable receipts are available!

Ontario Coaliton Against Poverty (OCAP)

posted by Annamarie at 11:12 PM