Before the Taliban took over Afghanistan, Aisha and her husband Umar (names changed for safety) were journalists and storytellers. The couple had three children.

When the Taliban took over their province, the family’s lives were at risk because of their work. They fled to a relative’s home in Kabul. After Umar was recognized on the street and badly beaten along with one of their children, they knew they had to leave Afghanistan. The family made a perilous journey by road to Pakistan. While there, St. Philip’s Lutheran Church in Ontario sponsored the family to Canada with the support of CLWR.

CLWR has facilitated the sponsorship of 100 refugees under the Canadian government’s special immigration measures and humanitarian program (Operation Afghan Safety) to protect some of the most vulnerable refugees from Afghanistan.

Aisha, Umar, and their children, along with many other refugee families, are finally safe and can begin to rebuild their lives thanks to the support of Lutheran congregations like yours all across Canada. Thank you!

Photo caption: Aisha stands at the window of her new home in Canada. She and Umar look forward to a brighter future for their children. (Photo: Aisha & Umar)