Church of St. Bartholomew
Refugee Program
― Avijeet Das
St Bart’s Refugee Ministry
The Syrian Families
In 2014 we began the process to sponsor a refugee family from Syria. In November 2016 they arrived in Ottawa, and the family of five began their life in Canada. They have successfully learned English , found jobs and the three children have done very well in school . It is a true delight that our parish celebrated the granting of Canadian Citizenship to this family earlier this year, 2023.
In 2017 that family asked us to support their relatives - a family of 5 who arrived in May 2022. They have also flourished, are learning English, secured jobs and the three children are doing well - the youngest in school and the two older twins studying to complete their secondary school diplomas, as well as working part time.
We would like to thank all members of our congregation for their support over the years to assist these two fine families. Thank you for your prayers, your service and for your financial gifts.
The South Sudanese Family
We are working now to secure the arrival of a family from South Sudan.
Naight Rose is a member of St Bart’s. Her sister, Harriet, and family of five children have been in a refugee camp in East Africa since 2014. The current unrest within Sudan and the area is a great concern to them and to the Church of St Bartholomew's.
We sincerely hope that you will be able to support us so we may bring this family to Canada as soon as possible.
Harriet’s family will require $ 29,384 (plus extra funds for contingency) to resettle. We already have a significant amount of money towards this goal but we ask for further support to reach our target and raise enough funds for this sponsorship.
The refugee team for this family is chaired by Gina Watson with assistance from Jake Harding, Karen McClure and Liz Heatherington, with a group of volunteers from St. Bartholomew’s. Rose’s family and friends will be also be fully involved in helping the family to settle once it arrives.
How to Donate
By cheque, made out to
St Bartholomew’s Refugee Account
125 MacKay St,
Ottawa, ON
K1M 2B4
Or
Send an e-transfer to stbarts.refugeefund@gmail.com
Or
Use the Canada Helps Button below - specifying Refugee Account
You can now donate through our own online form.
For more information email us at stbarts@bellnet.ca or call: 613-745-7834
All donations will receive a tax receipt.
(Refunding between 40-44% of the donation)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q How long will it be for Harriet's family to arrive in Canada?
A The application is in process. But due to the unrest in Sudan and the area, there could be more delays.
Q What if for any reason a family is not able to come to Canada. What happens to the money collected?
A This happened once before at St Bart’s. A family was denied access to Canada. We then, with the approval of parish council, used the funds for different refugee situations, both within our parish and by helping other churches with their refugee programs.
Q Why can’t families who want to sponsor a family do it themselves without church involvement?
A Because Naight Rose and her family are members of the congregation, we agreed to assist with the sponsorship of her sister. We do this though our “Sponsorship Agreement Holder”, the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. It is our diocese which is making the application and it trusts that St Bart’s will raise the funds, engage volunteers and provide an appropriate level of support.
Over the past five years our Diocese of Ottawa leads the country in per capita refugee sponsorships - something of which we can be proud.
— Dina Nayeri
