Here are some common questions about the program.
Who can sponsor a North Korean refugee family?
Private sponsors can participate in the program as co-sponsors. Eligible community groups, organizations, and corporations will work in partnership with HanVoice to sponsor and resettle North Korean families.
While you may not be able to sponsor a family, you can help support sponsorship by donating your time and money.
What are the responsibilities of a sponsoring group?
Private sponsors must actively participate in the resettlement of the sponsored families by providing financial and social support.
Are there any other resettlement pathways for North Koreans?
Yes. Canada is one of three options, including the US and South Korea. But Canada provides a unique privately sponsored, as opposed to a government sponsored, option.
How long is a sponsorship period?
Private sponsors must support the families for a 12-month-period starting from the family’s arrival in Canada or until the family becomes self-sufficient, whichever comes first. In exceptional circumstances, the period may be extended to a maximum of 36 months.
What happens after the 12-month sponsorship period?
Sponsored refugees are expected to successfully resettle in Canada. With the support of their sponsor groups and HanVoice, the refugees will be self-sufficient and continue to integrate into Canadian society.
What kind of support is provided to sponsor groups?
Each sponsoring group will be assigned staff from HanVoice to act as a point of contact and ongoing resource throughout the sponsorship.
Who are the refugee families being sponsored?
Five North Korean women and their families located in transit countries, particularly survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, are a priority group.
Where are the refugee families coming from?
They are coming from undisclosed transit countries in Southeast Asia.
How are you identifying the refugee families for resettlement?
We are working with multiple partners including field partners who will identify the refugees during rescue missions in Southeast Asia, UN offices who will facilitate exit visas and screenings, and the Canadian government who will process the application.
Here are some common questions about Sam.
How many times did Sam and his family have to escape?
Sam, his mom, and his grandmother tried escaping together three times: the first escape was when Sam was only six years old. After the first two failed attempts of trying to escape together, Sam’s mom left first and sent a broker to help bring Sam and his grandmother out.
What happened when Sam and his family were returned to North Korea after trying to escape?
Sam and his grandmother were spared because of their age. His mom wasn’t so lucky. She spent time in one of North Korea’s notorious prison camps and later served at a labour camp. She was tortured and beaten for trying to have escaped.
How did Sam and his family make it to safe ground?
Sam and his family fled to China and took a train to Mongolia. The entire process, including two failed attempts, took six years: all of Sam’s childhood to make it to safe ground. In Mongolia, Sam and his family were able to resettle in South Korea.
Why did Sam and his family leave South Korea? What were some of their hardships in the South?
Sam’s family found it difficult to integrate into South Korean society due to discrimination and lack of mental health support. Despite the best efforts of the South Korean government, they found it difficult to resettle successfully and searched elsewhere for home.
How did Sam get to Canada?
Sam and his family moved to Canada after two years in South Korea. As they transited through South Korea, they faced significant legal challenges to stay in Canada.
After three long years of fighting his deportation back to South Korea, Sam is now a permanent resident of Canada.
Sam’s story shows how North Koreans want more options for resettlement. Those deprived of choice deserve more choices in where they want to start their new life.
Canada not only offers another choice, but offers an innovative and community-led private sponsorship approach. Without cost to the taxpayer, we can help resettle and integrate our North Korean refugee newcomers.
Here are some common questions people ask us.
Can you issue a tax receipt?
Since we are not a registered charity, we cannot issue tax receipts today. But we are working on it.
Thinking of donating more than $250? We can help issue a tax receipt in 2022.
Although we are not yet a registered charity, this is in the works and we hope to have an exciting announcement on this front in 2022.
In the event our charity application is delayed, we will formalize an already-negotiated-partnership with a reputable charitable foundation based in Toronto. Either way, we can assure you that all qualifying donors over $250 will be issued a charitable receipt in 2022.
*All donations above $250 requesting a receipt will come with a Donor Agreement, so you are fully informed of our charitable plan and have our guarantee in writing.
Contact us and we’ll reply within 24-hours to arrange a receipting plan.
How do I make changes to my monthly donation?
Please email donation@hanvoice.ca and we can make any changes you request.
Is my data secure?
Yes. The security and confidentiality of your information is our highest priority. We use industry-standard SSL technology to protect your information and provide a safe and secure environment for online donations. We will not sell, trade or share your information.
What is HanVoice’s legal entity?
HanVoice is a volunteer-operated, non-governmental and nonprofit organization. We are nonreligious and nonpartisan, dedicated to the advancement of internationally recognized human rights standards.
What is the structure of HanVoice?
There are three bodies: HanVoice Board, HanVoice Executive Committee, and HanVoice Chapters. The Board provides oversight; the Executive Committee runs the operations; the Chapters fuel our grassroots.
Where does my donation go?
If you’re donating to our refugee sponsorship fund, 100% of all donations go directly towards resettling North Korean refugees.
If you donate to HanVoice, your donation go towards supporting our programs.
How do I join HanVoice?
We recruit for new directors on May 1st annually. However, we have positions open throughout the year which we advertise through our website and social media. For students, we have 15 chapters that you can join/you can start your own chapter!