First United Church is once again fundraising to sponsor a refugee family from Syria.

Back in 2016, First United brought over a family of four from Syria through a government program called Blended Visa Office Referred (BVOR). Through this program, the government paid half of the cost of the first 12 months and First United was responsible for raising the rest.

Reverend Annette Taylor details how the fundraising has changed this time around.

"This time what we're doing is we're actually hoping to bring over some members of the family. The ones that we brought over in 2016, we want to reunite them with some of their family and so because of that, we can't use the BVOR program, the private sponsorship. So this time we need to raise the full $40,000."

In order to raise the funds this time around, First United Church has created a Chuffed fundraising page which can be found here or etransfers can be directed to give.firstunited@sasktel.net and add Refugee Sponsorship in the memo section. Cheques made out to the church are also being accepted. 

To date, First United Church has raised close to $14,000 and so is about a third of their way towards their end goal of $40,000. 

Although there is no exact deadline to raise the funds, Reverend Taylor says that if they were able to raise the funds this year that would be amazing. 

Reverend  Taylor says the previously sponsored family is very excited.

"They are just thrilled that we are working towards that particular dream of bringing over some of their family. Of course, it is very difficult to come to a new country and to not have any of your family around you. They have some family in Germany and have some family that are refugees in countries just outside of Syria."

In terms of the current conditions in Syria, Reverend Taylor says that it is her understanding that the economic situation in Syria is very difficult right now and people are having trouble just finding enough food to eat and the infrastructure was shattered with the civil war that took place there. 

In terms of the fundraising committee, Reverend Taylor says they have a really enthusiastic group working on this, including six members of the original committee that worked to bring the family over back in 2016. 

"We are excited about the possibility and looking forward to making it happen," says Reverend Taylor.