Hope Haven’s Fundraiser for LGBTQ Refugee Resettlement in Canada

We are a refugee sponsorship group called “Hope Haven.” We are sponsoring H, a 39-year-old person from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region who temporarily resides in Hong Kong and identifies with the LGBTQ community, to claim refugee status in Vancouver, Canada, through the BVOR program.

H’s application for Canada is underway, and we are seeking $30,826 CAD to fund his resettlement plan. He has been through many physical and mental hardships, but he remains optimistic about the future. After escaping from his country of origin, he found temporary shelter in Hong Kong and has endured a long and arduous legal claim for non-refoulment protection in Hong Kong, lasting more than 5 years.

However, the meager success simply grants H the opportunity to work but not the right to travel or access public healthcare and other governmental services a regular resident would. This presents a significant challenge for H as he faces adverse risks and an unsustainable life the longer he stays in Hong Kong. He has never stepped foot outside this city for over 9 years.

Life is difficult for H, but it has not tarnished his resilient character. He is a big believer in paying it forward; he helps organize refugee gatherings in the city, regularly visits other physically challenged refugees in the town, and provides much-needed company and support.

To protect H’s privacy, all personally identifiable details are excluded. Gender violence is a serious matter. To learn more about H’s story, feel free to

What’s Wrong with His Status in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong did not sign the UN Refugee Convention in 1951, giving the government rights to deport asylum seekers regardless of the difficulty of their circumstances. With the help of various local NGOs and inclusive churches, we have lodged a claim against the government to help H establish refugee status in Hong Kong under humanitarian concerns. A refugee status holder will never convert into a legal resident in Hong Kong.

Many individuals with established refugee status would perish before they could wait for resettlement by the UN as the queue takes another several years (https://help.unhcr.org/faq/how-can-we-help-you/resettlement/). As of writing, we know there are no openings for anyone through HK’s UNHCR office.

Without your intervention, H cannot live a dignified and humane life. His only hope is to resettle as a refugee in Canada through the Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) Program.

Feel free to distribute to anyone looking to donate online. Any funds donated over the goal $30,826 CAD will go towards helping H resettle in Canada.

Dangers in the MENA Region

Our team has identified that the MENA region where H came from continues to be a perilous place for him in the foreseeable future:

• 2020 11 01: https://gbv.westafrica.exposed/portraits/mahamane/
  • Gender-based violence and physical attacks against LGBTQ are the norm in the West African region. There is no haven for victims in these countries where their governments cannot provide adequate protection for the LGBTQ community.
• 2023 09 27: https://issafrica.org/iss-today/anti-gay-laws-africas-human-rights-regression
  • “The military transition government has announced strict measures to counter attempts to promote LGBT rights (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) in the country. In response to these attempts, the government has taken drastic measures. First, it has committed to identifying and prosecuting those responsible and their accomplices for actions deemed contrary to the laws and morals of Niger. It states that severe sanctions will be imposed against them.”

About Us: Hope Haven

We are a diverse group of volunteers and sponsors from Hong Kong and Canada, including NGO staff, entrepreneurs, students, and teachers.

Alan, Ricky, Carven, Rhiannon, Sweden, Paul

Where will the funds go?

The money that we raise will be held under escrow at Blessed Ministry Community Church under Deacon Alan Hau’s guidance. All funds will go directly towards H’s living expenses, to be disbursed monthly for 12 months.

Tax Receipts

Hong Kong Residents

Blessed Ministry Community Church, H’s spiritual home in Hong Kong, can issue a donation receipt for amounts greater than $100 HKD for tax deduction purposes. Please contact finance@hkbmcc.org for more information.

Cost Breakdown

One-Time Expenses: $5,050	Estimated Monthly Costs for H’s First Year: $25,776
Travel to Canada $1,300 Clothing $750 Furniture $1,500 Household utilities setup (cell phone, internet, etc.) $800 Identification costs $200 Vocational education costs (job-related training to increase employability) $500	Shelter / rent $1,200 Household utilities $120 Transportation $128 Living allowance (food, cell phone, incidentals including medical, etc.)  $700 — Total Monthly Costs: $ 2,148 monthly $2,100 x 12 = 25,776