BVOR Diaries: January 2025

Follow along as Catherine, our fictional BVOR sponsor, begins her sponsorship journey and creates global change through local action in her neighbourhood.

January 5, 2025

Dear Diary,

I never know how to start these things. I’ve tried keeping a diary before, but despite my best intentions I don’t think I’ve ever kept it up past a month or so. But the beginning of a new year is a great time to try again!

It’s also a great time to try something new. Big and brave. I’ve been wanting a new project since I retired last year, but I wasn’t sure what – until I met an interesting fellow at Betty’s Boxing Day open house. David lives in Calgary but was back home for the holidays. He was telling me about how he’s part of a sponsorship group and how they sponsored a family of refugees from Eritrea a couple of years ago. He had nothing but good things to say about the experience and it was quite sweet how proud he was of how well the family was doing now.

He was schmoozing for money – his group is fundraising to sponsor a second family – so cynically I think it makes sense he was focusing on all the good, hah!

I donated, of course. But it’s got me thinking: maybe I could start my own group? Bring a refugee family to Halifax? It’s a bit scary to think about, but…

Let’s go big and brave in 2025!

January 11

I’ve been reading about refugees and sponsorship. David told me about RSTP which is an organization that helps refugee sponsors. And I’ve been on the government’s website reading information there. Oh, and UNHCR’s website too! I’m excited, but my head’s spinning a bit. There’s a lot to learn!

January 19

I told Betty about my idea when we were at the market yesterday. Funnily enough, we were buying churros from the Venezuelan stall and the owner overheard us. He was all excited and thought I should sponsor a refugee from Venezuela! Maybe!

Anyhow, sounds like Betty would like to help. I figured I could count on her. From what I understand we need at least five people for our sponsorship group. So me and Betty that’s two so far – maybe the guy from the Venezuelan stall will join us!

January 25

I subscribed to a newsletter about sponsorship and found out about a webinar about something called the BVOR program next week. I think I’ll go along to that – maybe Betty could too. I think BVOR is how David sponsored. I should check with him.

The newsletter lists out families looking for refugee sponsors. Families from Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Venezuela (!!) – some individuals too. Maybe if we can’t raise enough money to sponsor a family we could sponsor an individual instead – I assume that costs less. Though I do love the idea of kids – I’m always happy to have little ones to play with and keep me young! 😊

I’m a bit embarrassed to admit, dear Diary, that I don’t really know much about the crisis in Venezuela. I’m trying to learn. Google tells me that over 7 million Venezuelans have left their country since 2015 because of the impact of the authoritarian government under Maduro, the so-called president. I can’t imagine. Most of these refugees live in neighbouring countries, but some get to come to countries like Canada through different refugee programs. Sponsors are a part of all of this – maybe I can be too?! I’m trying!

Check back next month to find out what Catherine does next in her BVOR sponsorship journey!