Group moving to bring Syrian refugee family to Victoria

Tomorrow may be just another ho-hum, fall Sat. night in beautiful, bountiful Victoria, but for a young family toiling in a warzone, it’s hoped to be the next step in a massive change of lifestyle and safety.

Sasha Dani knows the transition well. Eight years ago, she arrived in Canada, having escaped a divided Syria aflame in revolution, persecution, and civil war.

Now she wants to get her brother, his wife, and their two young children outta there and over here.

“For my brother's family, moving to an affluent country like Canada would mean more than just a change of address, it represents a lifeline and a chance for them to build a safer and more stable life,” Dani tells Capital Daily.

Dani is one of a dozen people who comprise Victoria Shows Love (VSL), a group working with the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria, attempting to sponsor the family currently subsisting in a Syrian refugee camp in neighbouring Lebanon.

“[Moving to Victoria] symbolizes hope, a chance to escape the hardships they've faced and to provide my niece and nephew, who are so young and full of potential, with opportunities for education and a brighter future,” Dani says.

Syria has been at war with itself since 2011. It’s sparked increased instability in the Middle East and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises in our times.

Before fleeing, brother Alex was harassed and attacked by paramilitary thugs, held captive, tortured, and threatened with death—In front of his kids, who aren’t even six yet.

‍ The family then joined the exodus

For the stateless, conditions in Lebanon are only slightly better.

Last summer, Alex was hit by a bus. Inspecting the scene, the driver sussed out Alex’s Syrian accent and left him on the street with no medical attention.

With no legal status in Lebanon, Alex’s family is in dire shortage of the comforts we readily enjoy: medicine, schools—the ability to wake up without sheer fear of being injured or persecuted that morning.

It may take as long as two years, but the wheels are in motion to move the family to Victoria. They would join 44K+ countrymen who’ve arrived in this country since 2015 when Canada began Operation Syrian Refugees by resettling 25K displaced Syrians in 100 days. Equally importantly, the foursome would leave the dreadful existence they currently share with 1.5 million of their countrymen—many of whom don’t have the paperwork or status to obtain those aforementioned comforts.

“They're excited,” VSL spokesman Doug Boyd tells Capital Daily. “They're very much looking forward to coming here.”

Fundraising started last year and is going well

The group has raised $52K—the Canadian government set a floor of $60K to ensure the family can make it a go here—and will add to that total tomorrow night at the Fernwood Community Centre where 100+ are expected for a fundraiser.

It hopes you join them for a night of music and altruism. There’s going to be some belly dancing, a silent auction, and a licensed cash bar.

Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. You also can donate by sending an e-transfer to victoriashowslove@gmail.com.

Tax receipts will be issued for donations of more than $10.

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