"LET MY PEOPLE GO" - REF 290-1
Sonya* is a Christian in Pakistan. She and her husband have 5 children. Because of their faith, they are treated as third-class citizens and finding work is difficult. They have no choice but to enslave themselves to the brick kiln industry where they wake up before sunrise every day to knead soil and water into dough, making bricks. If they fail to meet a quota, their wages are reduced. If they pass away, the wages will fall on their children. Sadly, their daughters were subject to significant sexual abuse and exploitation by the supervisors at the kilns. Their youngest daughter passed away as a result, and the father followed a few days later due to the weight of grief. Sonya is now left to look after her remaining children alone.
*Name changed for security reasons.
This family was rescued through Philoi's partners. Their debt was paid, and they have been able to relocate to a safer location. We desire to further equip ex-brick kiln families/individuals to be able to thrive in Pakistan through livelihood projects and long-term recovery. There are many families in painfully similar situations who are desperately needing help in attaining freedom from slavery.
The average cost to set a family free from slavery is $4000 AUD. Would you consider rescuing a family in similar circumstances?
"Martyrs memorial" - REF 290-3
In India 2008, the district of Kandhamal Orissa was lit up by Hindu fundamentalists who led the anti-Christian campaign. The violence lasted for weeks, with police standing by as more than 100 Christians were killed, 6,000 Christian homes were destroyed, and over 600 villages were ransacked. The attack left up to 75,000 people forcibly displaced. The resources from the churches were burned - erasing everything the community had.
Namrata, a 10 year old girl, suffered greatly from bomb explosions that extremists had thrown into her home. The police never came to help. When asked about how she felt towards the attack, she stated: “I don’t know why people should attack others in the name of God. I will dedicate my life to promote harmony and spread the Lord’s message of love.”
The Martyrs Memorial provides the opportunity for us to remember those who have lost their lives for their faith. We also desire to equip surviving Christians in Kandhamal, like Namrata, with Bibles and hymn books in their language.
The average cost of a Bible and hymn book in Oriya/Kui language is $20 AUD. Would you consider blessing a Christian family with these materials?
Refugee Travel Assistance - REF 290-4
Refugees and displaced people often experience immense and specific persecution due to their Christian faith. The constant and legitimate threats of death leave them with no other option; they must leave their home, or be killed.
Daniel* is an Iranian underground church leader who was arrested and tortured by the authorities for his faith. He was forced to flee to Turkey with his family to escape death. After years of waiting in limbo to be resettled in Australia, they were granted visa 202 and were sponsored by Philoi.
Philoi is expected to provide travel and initial settlement costs for those persecuted Christian refugees. They are proposed/sponsored by us, and have obtained Humanitarian visas (202). With the help of our partnering networks and the generosity of our supporters, the family mentioned are now residing in Australia and are grateful to be in a safe country.
The average cost of a sponsoring a refugee to travel to Australia is $1,500 AUD. Would you consider contributing to help them start a new life?
far from home - REF 290-2
Nevi* is a young migrant worker from Sri Lanka, working as an undocumented person in a Gulf country. She is excluded from the rights of a citizen and has no legal protection. She sees no choice but to continue to work to provide for her family who are in Sri Lanka. *Name changed due to security reasons. Front image for illustration purposes only.
Migrant workers around the world are flooding into the Middle East and South East Asia. They usually originate from developing countries that are experiencing financial crisis and war. If they are semi-skilled or unskilled workers, they are left extremely vulnerable because their protections are limited.
They are exposed to hazardous working conditions, discrimination, insecure visa arrangements, systematic underpayment, and modern slavery. They are working far from their home, often trying to support their families from a distance. We are networking and equipping our partners (in the 'sending' and 'receiving' countries) to understand their legal rights, providing fellowship, safe houses, and repatriation support when needed.
Would you consider supporting migrant workers?
Ref-produced - REF 290-5
Those who are forcibly displaced are limited by legislation, and lack opportunities to earn a living. 'REF-Produced' stands for 'Refugee Produced.' Philoi partners with the forcibly displaced by amplifying their voices in creating market opportunities. These avenues would otherwise be impossible for them to cultivate on their own. Philoi currently facilitates the marketing of coffee, turmeric tea, palm sugar, artworks, and ornamental products from forcibly displaced people. All the proceeds from from REF-Produced will go towards church-based community development projects in those respective countries, as well as the individuals who produced the items.
If you desire to support the small business of a displaced individual, you can purchase their products on our website: www.philoiglobal.org
Otherwise, please consider investing in 'REF-Produced.'
philoi.education - REF 290-7
Philoi are creating a Learning Management System (LMS) that will be accessible to anyone around the world who has a device and internet connection. It is designed for, and those working with, the displaced. They will have access to the following course for free:
Vocational English Training (V.E.T.): There is a large gap for non-English speakers when navigating vocational English. We aim to bridge the gap between functional and vocational English so that non-English speakers are able to be employed in meaningful jobs when resettling in a third country. We have been working with displaced Afghans in refugee camps to improve their language competency while they wait for third country resettlement.
We are looking for volunteer teachers and mentors who will walk with these forcibly displaced individuals.
To express your interest, email us at
info@philoiglobal.org
emergency relief (rice to arise) - REF 290-6
Kavita* lives in Sri Lanka and lost her husband as a result of the 2009 civil war. She has 4 children. Finding 2 meals a day for them and herself is challenging. Furthermore, it is not easy for a widow to find employment in the midst of a financial crisis. *Name changed due to security reasons. Front image for illustration purposes only.
Sri Lanka has been going through the worst economic crisis they have ever seen. Unemployment and underemployment has never been worse. In addition to working with local ministries in Sri Lanka to train communities to cultivate their own home gardens, Philoi is also providing families in need with rice as emergency relief. Many families in Sri Lanka cannot afford even one bag of rice due to inflation, as well as the extremely limited access the general population has to any food source.
Supplying a family with a bag of rice costs approximately $20 AUD.
Please consider supporting a Sri Lankan family with emergency relief through the gift of rice.
recruit a refugee- REF 290-4
Refugees are uprooted from their homes due to conflict and persecution. Before they were forced to flee, many of them had meaningful employment and careers that they worked hard for. Australia has created a pathway for skilled refugees to apply for Skilled Migration Visas, allowing them to enter the country with employment opportunities.
Philoi partners with persecuted Christian refugees who are from displaced backgrounds, and who may be eligible for this pathway. We are inviting businesses who are passionate to see the refugee population thrive - starting in their workplace - to partner with us. You will give them an opportunity to resume their careers. By recruiting a refugee in your workplace, you are significantly contributing to their integration in Australia, giving them a second chance to start over in safety and freedom.
Philoi partners with persecuted Christian refugees who are from displaced backgrounds, and who may be eligible for this pathway. We are inviting businesses who are passionate to see the refugee population thrive - starting in their workplace - to partner with us. You will give them an opportunity to resume their careers. By recruiting a refugee in your workplace, you are significantly contributing to their integration in Australia, giving them a second chance to start over in safety and freedom.
Supplying a family with a bag of rice costs approximately $20 AUD.
Please consider supporting a Sri Lankan family with emergency relief through the gift of rice.
GENERAL FUND - REF 260
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Giving to the 'General Fund' helps us to continue the work and invest in emergency relief in projects where it is needed most. It is important as the needs of the displaced around the world are highly unpredictable. Having a General Fund helps us to respond immediately.
Your contribution will also support the operational expenses of the Philoi Team in Australia.
Thank you for enabling us to partner with little-known ministries by supporting the General Fund.