Since 2017, Amnesty International has been part of a global movement to open up new pathways to safety through community sponsorship.
Community sponsorship programmes bring together governments, civil society, and organizations like the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to empower local people and communities – known as “sponsors” – to welcome refugees and support them as they rebuild their lives. Sponsors provide emotional support and assist with practical tasks like finding housing, enrolling children in school, and learning the local language.
Thanks to this collective effort, more than one million refugees have been welcomed by millions of sponsors worldwide since 2017. We have spoken to people in Argentina, Australia, Ireland and the UK whose stories reveal the transformative impact sponsorship can have.
Profiled is the story of a family who, after escaping violence in Myanmar, found a new home and a supportive community, in the picturesque bohemian suburb of Warrandyte, in Melbourne, Australia.
Read the full story on Amnesty International’s website.