Project Spotlight

Welcome to Givewell's Project Spotlight. Each month we highlight a project for which a charity is currently seeking funds. We also provide details on how to give directly for this project.

This month’s Project Spotlight features one of the finalists of the 2008 Givewell Good Giving Guide Charity Awards, in the category of Best Community Project.

Organisation:	Sanctuary Refugee Foundation Inc.
Project Name:	Sanctuary Travel Loan Fund

Background Information:

Sanctuary Refugee Support Group (now Sanctuary Refugee Foundation) was founded in 1988 by Sue and Peter Hallam, after what they describe as “a life-changing experience” in Mexico, where they spent time with a priest who was sheltering destitute Salvadoran refugees. After returning from Mexico to Canada and working with refugees there, the Hallam family migrated to Australia in November 1987, settling in Coffs Harbour on the north coast of NSW. They established Sanctuary in 1988 and began working as volunteers with the Governments Community Refugee Settlement Scheme. In 1997, the group became a Registered Charity and also began to send assistance directly to refugees suffering overseas, including clothing and medicines.

Project Description:

The innovative Sanctuary Travel Loan Fund was started in 1995, providing interest-free “revolving” travel loans to unfunded refugees accepted under Australia’s 202 Humanitarian Program. Without this, many face losing their only chance (and often their lives). Sanctuary provides an interest-free airfare loan and books their travel to Australia through the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Once settled, each family gradually repays their interest-free airfare loan back (over 2 to 3 years) and this is then “recycled” to assist another refugee family. It is very successful, with a 95% re-payment record.

Sanctuary received Austcare’s National Humanitarian Award in 2002, and since then has inspired, initiated and trained 12 new community Sanctuary groups across Australia (in cities and regional centres) each following Sanctuary’s successful model, enriching the lives of refugees and communities alike. Over the last 5 years, Sanctuary has assisted 2,847 refugees to safety from many war-torn countries, regardless of race or religion. Refugees have come from countries including Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Vietnam, Iraq, Bosnia, Croatia, Burma, S.Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Congo, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and Burundi.

Project Activities:

The Travel Loan Fund provides:

Sponsorship for unfunded 202 Humanitarian Visas for the “forgotten refugees” for who are stuck in refugee camps and who do not have anyone to sponsor or help them.
Interest-free airfare loans for those approved by Australia for 202 Visas, who would otherwise have no way to get here and face losing their visas and the hope of a safe life for their family.

Sanctuary also:

Coordinates refugee settlement through its network of groups across Australia.
Trains and consults on issues relevant to refugees and humanitarian entrants.
Provides advice and support for refugees wanting to sponsor their relatives.
Assists with all aspects of settlement, such as housing, banking, medical, schools, etc.
Provides liaison and advocacy (on behalf of refugees and support groups).
Sets up new community groups and provides ongoing support.
Undertakes community development and education activities, and ongoing fundraising.
Co-ordinates the Refuge Penfriend Scheme giving direct links to the refugee camps.
Provides reading assistance classes to refugees (with year 12 students).

Can donors/grant makers give directly for this project? Yes. All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Contact Details for Further Information:
Mr Peter Hallam, Director
Ph: (02) 6652 2127
Fax: (02) 6651 9049
Email: srfoundation@westnet.com.au
Web: www.sanctuaryrefugeefoundation.org

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