Christmas Outreach / St. Mary’s Refugee Sponsorship

In the fall of 2021, St. Mary’s welcomed the Mohebbi family to Canada.  One of the challenges facing this family, was the travel costs related with their journey here.  The 6 members of the family as part of their agreement with the Government of Canada to enter the country as refugees, was to agree to a travel loan to cover their pre-flight medical and travel costs for coming to Canada.  This amounted to $10,000 for the family.  This Christmas St. Mary’s asked the congregation to give generously to help raise funds to support covering the family’s flight costs and we were able to raise $10,100.  Our parish is very thankful to our anonymous matching donor, who offered to match donations given to this appeal, up to $5,000.  What an amazing job St. Mary’s!  Well done everyone.

The family are continuing to do well, with Mansoor and Freshta are attending Langstaff S.S. in grades 12 and 9 respectively, while Eraj is in grade 8 at Charles Howitt P.S.  Their parents, Kazim and Simin are registered for ESL classes.  The family matriarch, Zahra, is feeling better but still requires much care.  (A small picture is included below of their first visit to Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, with brother/uncle Ibrahim in glasses, who had previously immigrated to Canada a number of years ago.)

 

 

Thank you to all the members of our parish for supporting this family as their begin their new life here in Canada.

Sincerely,
Lyne Webb and Maggie Veltheer
Co-Chairs of St. Mary’s Refugee Committee