A local church is hoping to raise funds to sponsor a refugee family of four facing violent persecution and bring them to safety in Winnipeg. 

Dawn-Marie Wilson, Chair of the Pakistani refugee committee through Soul Sanctuary Church began this sponsorship process in early 2018.

Wilson recently returned from living in Asia with her husband and children where they met a family in need at their church.

"They escaped Pakistan because they converted to Christianity." As the grandfather of the children grew older, "he became more radicalized and more involved with militant groups. He was more upset with the fact that his son was a Christian who was raising his children Christian.

"The grandfather, in March of 2014 alongside a group of militants broke into their home and attempted to abduct the children," Wilson says. 

The group beat the parents but thankfully they survived. For their safety, they needed to leave. They went to an Asian country nearby and asked for asylum. Two years later they were granted asylum making them eligible for Canadian sponsorship. 

"Nobody has ever sacrificed for me the way that these people sacrifice for each other. It taught me some real lessons of what Godly love looks like."

Wilson and her family were just about to move back to Canada during that time and their story stayed with her. "The idea of refugee sponsorship came to mind and we approached our church and they were very responsive.

"They are really struggling, so to be able to help any family is an honour and a privilege but to be able to actually help our friends really adds a personal touch and makes us more aware of how important it is," Wilson says.  

While living in that country with them she was encouraged by the community. "The church we attended, everyone was a refugee or an immigrant. 

"To see how much the church and Christians sacrificed to support each other...frankly, nobody has ever sacrificed for me the way that these people sacrifice for each other. It taught me some real lessons of what Godly love looks like," Wilson says. 

"There is a family out there with children who need safety ... the father said he wanted to come to Canada because he wants basic human rights for his children."

Cydney Bergen, a member of the committee is also moved by their story. "There is a family out there with children who need safety. In a video, the father said he wanted to come to Canada because he wants basic human rights for his children. If we can even provide a little bit of that for them then it would make a world of difference for them," Bergen says.

The process of sponsorship is not an easy one. "There's a lot of paperwork but all the forms have been submitted," Wilson says. Their obstacle now is to fundraise $40,000, the amount recommended by Citizenship and Immigration Canada to sponsor a family of four.

The committee is halfway towards its goal. When the family arrives, they will be supported by the church and committee to get settled in the community. 

"We thought this would be a good way to not only shed light on this issue but to get people involved."

Fundraiser with Matt Falk coming up

To raise the sponsorship amount the committee first held a trivia night in September. Now, Matt Falk, a local comedian is involved and will be headlining a comedy fundraiser show. "We thought this would be a good way to not only shed light on this issue but to get people involved," Bergen says.

The show will be at Soul Sanctuary Church on February 1. The doors open at 7 p.m. with a deaf mime opening act. Refreshments and snacks will be available. A Red Seal chef will be providing cupcakes.

Ticket Details: Advance tickets $20; At the door $25 

To learn more or donate visit Refugee - Soul Sanctuary