I'm raising $10,000 for 5 brave LGBTQ people fleeing dreadful violence and oppression in their home country while war rages around them.  Can you help them with food and rent until they find freedom?

Hi, I'm James and I’m a volunteer with Hive, a Canadian not for profit and volunteer collective that provides life-saving support for LGBTQ+ people and their families who have fled persecution in their home country. Working with partners to sponsor them to come to Canada as Permanent Residents, we create pathways toward freedom, empowerment, and hope , supporting new beginnings and helping people rebuild their futures.

In the last year alone, Hive has  managed to raise enough funds to bring 7 LGBTQ+ people and their families to Canada.

We urgently need to raise $10,000 to support 5 more LGBTQ+ clients on our waiting list —and we are asking for your help.

Sadly, the situation has recently become gravely dangerous for our folks, who fled their homes and are currently in hiding in a neighboring country. War has recently broken out in the region and many governments are actively forcing people back to dangerous places. Those we support live in constant fear of being sent home to imprisonment, forced marriage, torture and even death. Many of our clients have not been able to go outside for months. Some have been diagnosed with multiple psychological issues, and the possibility of losing their food or safe housing adds another terrifying layer.

Despite these challenges, Hive is helping to keep them as safe as possible while their sponsorship applications are processed. Most clients working with Hive—many of whom are human rights defenders—wait for two to three years during which time Hive provides shelter, food, clothing, medical care, and access to online English lessons. Our volunteers are in online contact with them during this time to offer encouragement and moral support, and once the clients arrive in Canada, volunteers greet them in person and help them to get settled.

Right now, we need your help to keep these 5 LGBTQ+ people, who already have pathways to Canada, safe and alive over the next few months:

Sami* is a gay man whose name was on a list of LGBTQ+ people which fell into the hands of a hostile militia, forcing him to flee to a neighboring country. He has been assaulted by policemen who slapped him, punched him, and told him to get out of their country. Sami has had to relocate multiple times to avoid being forced back to danger. Hive helps Sami with monthly expenses, has found him a pathway to sponsorship through AURA and is currently fundraising to bring him to Toronto.

Sisters Wagma* and Nagma* were accused of immorality by their country's religious police as one is lesbian and the other bisexual. They were given the choice of imprisonment or forced marriage. Their elderly mother helped them escape over the border but within a few months tragically died. The daughters were left alone in a foreign country with nowhere to go. Hive helped Wagma and Nagma lodge an application for a community sponsorship place in Canada, and is paying for their rent and food in the meantime.

Two other sisters received a death letter from their country’s militia for their role in educating women and human rights, as educating women is strictly forbidden back home. Maleeha* is a lesbian women’s rights activist and her asexual sister Sussan* is a teacher who had been running a small school in her house for neighbouring girls. They had to flee their homes immediately, with nobody to help them until they were connected with Hive. Currently Hive is assisting Maleeha and Sussan finish securing a pathway to Canada, and providing money for food and secure accommodation while they wait.

Thank you so much for your donation, which will be life-saving for our folks, and will help us continue our work with these incredible people.

CAD $40 (USD $27) will buy valuable phone credit for a month.

CAD $55 (USD $40) will buy food for a week.

CAD $95 (USD $70) will pay rent for a week.

Never think you can’t make a difference – every single penny is welcome and appreciated!

Please note: Hive currently operates as a volunteer collective, meaning every penny goes towards helping our foks in danger. Hive is incorporated under the Canada Not-For-Profit Corporations Act but is unable to issue tax receipts until it is approved by the CRA. In the meantime our donation page is directing you to this personal fundraising page from one of our volunteers. If you need a tax receipt and live in Canada or the US, we work with charity partners who may be able to issue this - please send us a message on the web form. All proceeds raised go to Hive.

* Current client names have been changed for privacy and protection .