FOR A GOOD CAUSE!

mksu19 · Aug 18, 2008

As many probably already knows, my nephew is a refugee claimant in Canada. VAST Vancouver have been instrumental to him and many more true "survivors" claiming refuge in Canada. I recently got an e-mail from the organization and they are in dire need of assistance. Please visit their website: www.vast-vancouver.ca. Attached is the actual e-mail sent to me. Thanks in advance for everyone's support!

FROM:
[email protected]
Thu,8/14/08 1:24pm

As you probably know, the VANCOUVER ASSOCIATION FOR THE SURVIVORS OF TORTURE is a nonprofit organization that completely relies on donations and funding from the government and the United Nations.

Unfortunately, yesterday we were informed that this year, we are not going to receive the $140,000+ that we would normally receive from the BC Settlement Fund. This was because the qualifying criteria for the fund had been changed.

This represents nearly half of our annual budget, and we are now facing the strong possibility of having to close our doors and withdraw very valuable services to our clients. Our organization has been established to serve survivors of torture for over 22 years, and we are desperate to keep our doors open to the precious refugees that arrive at VAST hungry, tired, and emotionally broken.

Please consider helping us with any amount you can (no amount is too small!) to carry us through for the remainder of the year.

We would be eternally grateful for your support – and so would the hundreds of clients who visit VAST out of desperation. Also, if you can, please forward this to as many people as you can.

Below is a description of the circumstances that one of our own clients at VAST experienced. Just so you know the type of person that you would be helping with any donation.

G. came to Vancouver from Sierra Leonne, a small country in Africa, severely traumatized. Her Father had been captured by the rebels and burnt alive in front of her. As a result, she continues to be triggered by the smell of any type of meat cooking. Later, her mother and sisters were raped and slaughtered in front of her. She managed to escape from the home, but for 6 years she had to live like an animal in a tree. She survived on meager amounts of food, which she had to steal. She was eventually captured, gang raped, and left for dead. She was only 15 years of age.

She managed eventually to seek refuge in the home of a clergyman, who helped her to escape to Canada. She now has a 5 year old daughter, who is the product of that gang rape. G still accesses some of the VAST services, which includes a regular visit to what we call the "VAST BOUTIQUE" (second hand clothes donated to us). With psychotherapy at VAST, she has been able to move from a severely traumatized young woman who was barely able to function on a day to day basis, to now studying law at Simon Fraser University.

So please, please consider a donation, visit our website but you can donate on line.
Go to: www.vast-vancouver.ca

Or if you want to send a cheque send it to:

The Vancouver Association of Survivors of Torture
2618 East Hastings Street
Vancouver, BC V5K 1Z6

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this email, and don't forget to pass this email to anyone you think might donate too!

Love and happiness,

The VAST Team
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