Many thanks to the volunteers who worked hard to make our second annual picnic a success!  A great time was had by the volunteers and our Yezidi families.

For more pictures go to --> Project Abraham Annual Picnic

Grandmothers to Grandmothers of the Stephen Lewis foundation supports the work of African grandmothers caring for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS.

Grandmothers to Grandmothers had a Kid Fest at the Lodzer Synagogue, and invited our Yezidi community youngsters to share in the fun. A wonderful time was had by all!

For more photos see --->Grandmothers to Grandmothers Kid Fest

There was a lot to celebrate - the first New Year since the defeat of ISIS. Joining us this year in celebration were members of the York Regional Police, volunteers from Project Abraham, and volunteers from COSTI.

For more photos, click here --->Sere Sal April 18 2018

Project Abraham held its fourth bazaar at the Lodzer Synagogue yesterday, Sunday January 14/18, to provide winter clothing and household goods for newly arrived Yezidis refugees in the GTA.

Roji and Eda Rojia Ezi (Fasting and Feast of Ezi) are religious holy days that the Yezidis celebrate in December.  This is a special time for the Yezidis, and this year Project Abraham volunteers had the pleasure of being invited to help them celebrate. 

For more photos, click here ---> Eda Rojia Dec 15 2017

Dec-6/17

Yesterday, December 5/17, Debbie Rose (Manager, Project Abraham), Gary Rose (Director of Communication, Project Abraham), Nadre Atto, and Aveen Ismail, met before the Standing Committee of Immigration and Citizenship to provide our experience and recommendations on the current GOC initiative to bring the most vulnerable of the Yezidis to Canada.

The following is a link to the meeting, with links to our report and remarks to the committee.

Testimony before the Committee on Immigration and Citizenship
Brief submitted to the Committee on Immigration and Citizenship
Remarks to the Committee on Immigration and Citizenship (Debbie Rose)
Remarks to the Committee on Immigration and Citizenship (Gary Rose)

Nov- 8/17

MPs on the immigration committee are currently being briefed on the results of the GOC's commitment to bring #Yezidi and other minority survivors to Canada (Nov 7/17).

#ProjectAbraham provided the committee with a report based on our experience and observations, many of which coincide with the points brought forth in this CBC report. Unfortunately, while bringing the Yezidi victims of ISIS to Canada should be applauded, the GOC has not fully addressed the needs of the victims once they arrived. There are many glaring deficiencies and issues, both immediate and longer-term.

Project Abraham has stepped in to address some of these issues, but without more attention, support, and guidance from the government, these traumatized victims will face a long and hard road that will prolong their recovery and integration.

Last Sunday, September 24/17, Project Abraham volunteers successfully organized another bazaar for the Yazidi community.

Last Friday the Yazidi community in Richmond Hill celebrated their first wedding in over five years. A lot has gone on for the Yazidis between weddings - Mt. Sinjar, genocide, and the capture of their women and girls by ISIS - so it would be no surprise if they weren’t up to celebrating. Yet despite the worse nightmare that could happen to good and decent people, Friday was a celebration of life and freedom for the Yazidi community.

Thursday August 3, 2017 was the third anniversary of the Yazidi genocide on Mt. Sinjar.