Name: Mohammad Hashem Ehsani and his wife, Firuze, and 2 children, Aliakbar (14) and Shekufe (11)

Profile: Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, living in Indonesia His wife and two children have fled to Iran recently due to the Taliban’s threat, and they are at risk of being deported back to Afghanistan.

Advantages: UN-certified, Fluent in English speaking, first aid and CPR trained and certified, experienced as a chef, Experienced in construction work , FULLY FUNDED.

Risk: At risk of being caught and killed by the Taliban if returned home.

Canadian contact: Stephen Watt

Needed: A group of five friends to sponsor him.

Hashem was a chef assistant for the government in Ghazni. This made him an enemy of the Taliban. On his way to home from work, he was captured by the Taliban and kept him imprisoned. He managed to escape and save his life by fleeing to Indonesia with the hope of seeking help from the UNHCR. The cost of freedom was far greater than he imagined - he has been apart from his beautiful family for almost 8 years.

His wife and children lost their husband and father. Life was not easy without him. As a Hazara family, they continue to be in danger from the Taliban. Firuze worked hard to support her children and keep them safe. But when the Taliban have took over Afghanistan, their lives were in danger again. In 2021, Firuze, Aliakbar and Shekufe fled their home and escaped to Iran. Now they live a hidden life: no school for the kids, and no work for Firuze. If found, they are at the risk of being deported back to Afghanistan.

The family's situation is dire - but there is hope. They can be reunited through private sponsorship in Canada. All they need is a group of friends who can be their sponsors and give them an opportunity to live their life peacefully. No fundraising is required - a generous donor will sponsor their first year.

Never Safe

Hashem was born in 1991, in a village of the Jaghori district in Ghazni province in Afghanistan. The Hazara people of the region have long been targets of persecution and massacres due to their culture, religion, and love for education. He was a child when his family fled to Iran for their safety. There, they were living without legal documents which made them deprived of education and the right to work. However, he did not give up and went to a school for 7 years which was established by Afghan refugees.

“We were always hiding from Police in order not to be arrested, detained and deported back to Afghanistan, where our lives were in danger. This is happening to Hazara refugees in Iran on daily basis.”

Hashem and Firuze fell in love. They were so happy that their families supported their marriage. They were married in Iran and had 2 beautiful childen. Life was not easy in Iran - Hashem lived there for 16 years and was deported three times. Hashem and Firuze decided to return to Afghanistan in 2014 to establish a life there for their family. Hashem found a job as a chef assistant and kitchen hand in a government sector to support his family. Firuze worked part-time as a cashier. Things were going well, but working for the government was dangerous if the Taliban found out.

Escaped from the Taliban

One day, when Hashem was on his way from Ghazni to his village, the Taliban stopped his car in the most dangerous area in Ghazni called Dasht-e-Qarabagh.

“The Taliban captured and tortured me, and then kept me in a very remote area. It was obvious that I would be killed by them, so I managed to escape from a small wooden barred window behind the haystacks.”

After that incident, Hashem decided to leave Afghanistan and flee to Indonesia to save his life. Firuze know this was the only way for him to be safe. She had to say good-bye.

No Father, No Husband

In August 2014, Hashem started his dangerous journey to Indonesia. Firuze was only a young mother and the only support for Aliakbar and Shekufe as they grew up. She took on an second job and worked hard to give her children a normal life - Hashem far away and unable to be part of their childhood. Aliakbar and Shekufe love martial arts, and school. They love their Dad and want to together with him.

"I bow to my wife with all my being and kiss her hands, because she has fought all the problems of life alone and has raised and cared for our children well for so long."

Life in Detention Centre

With no right to work or way to support himself, Hashem moved to West Kalimantan (Pontianak) Detention Centre, where they were treated like criminals, rather than as refugees who had fled their country to save their lives. The detention centre was overcrowded and badly ventilated, and they faced many challenges like, lack of food, water and proper medical care . Hashim where he was suffering from back and knee issues. Despite facing such difficulties, he and some other refugees spent their time learning the English Language.

A Life of Uncertainty

Firuze and their children were no longer safe in Afghanistan after the Taliban took over in 2021. Like many Hazara, they were being targeted by the Taliban for violence. Firuze took the dangerous and courageous step of fleeing to Iran where she is in hiding with Aliakbar and Shekufe at a friend's home. They are without legal status which means they are at risk of being arrested by Iranian police and deported back to Afghanistan.

"I'm all worried that after my family, it may be that Canada's immigration program will end and I will miss this great opportunity and all my children's dreams will be null and void, and it will be very difficult for a father to see his children disappointed."

In 2017, Hashem was transferred to a community house in the city of Tanjung Pinang. Ever since, Hashem has been doing his best to make the most out of his time in learning English and other skills such as MS word, first aid training and CPR. Also, he has been volunteering in helping the locals build their houses as an experienced person in construction. He has learned Bahasa Indonesia, and many other skills so that he would be helpful for society in the future.

You Can Help

Hashem would like to continue his education and his passion which is accounting and automotive mechanics. Firuze wishes to raise her children in a country where they are free to be educated and where she can work and move freely. Aliakbar and Shekufe want to join Taekwondo classes and play football.

“I hope to live in a country where I feel safe and secure and be helpful to everyone, and hope my children to grow up in a country where they can get education and be able to contribute to making the world a better place for all.”

It’s possible. Since Hashem is officially certified as a refugee by the UNHCR – unlike the vast majority of the world’s refugees – his whole family qualifies for Canada’s private sponsorship program. Another advantage about Hashem is that he has a friend who has agreed to cover the costs of his first year in Canada. These funds will be placed in a trust account as part of the requirements for his application to come to Canada.

If you would like to sponsor Hashem– or if you’re just interested in helping to bring him here – please contact his friend Stephen Watt.

You can also reach out to Hashem directly on Facebook or by email or Whatsapp 082281892253.

Reach out and discover how wonderful it is to privately sponsor a good person to start a new life – with your help – in Canada!