Zainab* arrived in Canada in June 2024 with her mother, her sister and brother-in-law, and their young child. Like many families who escape conflict and oppression, they fear what sharing their story can mean for the safety of loved ones they left behind in their homeland of Afghanistan. But Zainab wants to share her story.

With support from the World Renew Refugee Sponsorship and Resettlement Team, Bromley Baptist Church in Ottawa, Ontario, sponsored Zainab and her family, who had fled Afghanistan and sought asylum in Pakistan. As Christians, the family faced persecution in their homeland and, like many others in their situation, chose to flee the country rather than live in hiding.

But living as refugees meant they continued to exist in fear—fear of not being able to afford basic necessities due to lack of employment opportunities; fear of not having a safe place to live; fear of never having a country to truly call home. Yet Zainab placed her trust in God’s love. “Our Lord Jesus Christ was with me and my family throughout this journey. We are one in the body of Christ,” she says.

Zainab continues to hold on to faith and trust in God’s goodness as she settles into life in Ottawa. She gives praise to God that she has found a country to call home. “I was able to connect with the Canadian community, and I can truly say that Canada feels like home to me,” shares Zainab. She also rejoices in the freedom she now has to worship. “I am able to attend church freely and read the Bible—something I could never do in the past,” she says. “I no longer need to hide myself.”

Zainab says she wants to be the voice for oppressed women in her home country. She wants the freedom she now enjoys for other Afghan women. What is freedom for Zainab? “Freedom is being able to sleep peacefully without terrifying nightmares, not having to hide the fact that I am a girl, and above all, the kindness I have received from Canadians,” she explains. “They truly care about us. Thank you for giving us the gift of freedom.”

Zainab understands that freedom doesn’t mean life won’t have challenges. She is excited to work and be a contributing member of society, but finding a job has been difficult. “I have not yet been able to enter my professional field. However, I will soon start volunteering to help newly arrived immigrants,” she explains. “My hope is to become a successful dentist and to serve Canada, the country that accepted me. Canada is my homeland.”

When asked what has been most helpful as she adjusts to life in Canada, Zainab says it is “the love and acceptance I received from the community and the warm welcome extended to us.” She encourages other newcomers to “strive to be valuable members of this society and never stop trying—there is always a light shining through the darkness!”

Zainab’s brave story is one of many. Since 1979, World Renew, along with churches and other sponsoring groups, has responded to the needs of refugees around the world and has successfully sponsored and resettled more than 11,000 refugees to Canada. This World Refugee Day (June 20), join us in continuing to support, advocate, and pray for refugees around the world.

Click here to learn more about our refugee sponsorship and resettlement programming in Canada or click here to make a donation in $USD to support refugees.