Dear caring you,

Together, we’ve reached an important milestone: More than 500,000 people have signed our petition! Your voice matters – and your donations have already made a concrete difference in saving lives.


✅ Two pieces of good news:

1. First group fully submitted – 64 people on their way
Thanks to your generous donations of $378,000 USD, we were able to fully fund 64 women, men, and children and officially submit their resettlement applications to the Brazilian government. They are among the most at-risk Afghan human rights defenders currently stranded in Pakistan.

2. Brazil continues to open its doors
Brazilian authorities have increased capacity to process more visas. This is an encouraging sign that Brazil is recognizing the severity of the crisis – and is ready to act.



💔 What shook our community this week

We also want to share something that shook many of the women in our community to the core: Abida, a woman in Afghanistan, set herself on fire after the Taliban tried to force her into marriage. Taliban fighters are now taking two to three wives at a time – even married women are no longer safe.

The pain and desperation that led Abida to take this step are hard to put into words. And she is not alone. Her story represents what so many women in Afghanistan are living through today – and why, for many, fleeing is the only way to survive.



⚠️ The crisis continues to escalate

Many of the people we are supporting are gravely ill, malnourished, and without access to medical care.

Two people have already died, and three more are seriously ill.

The Pakistani government has stopped issuing new visas, even for payment.

At the same time, Brazil requires a valid Pakistani visa for entry – a contradiction we are working hard to resolve.


This bureaucratic gridlock means that we now need to spend significantly more on legal assistance, medical emergencies, and temporary shelter than originally planned. That’s why we’re increasing our funding goal from $1.5 million to $2 million USD.



✨ Family Sponsorships Now Possible

Your support has already had real impact – but we are only just beginning. Many more lives can only be saved if we secure new sponsors for families – with an average cost of $35,000 USD per family.

Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions:



#1: How much does it cost to sponsor a family?
The average cost of relocating one family (parents + 3 children) is $35,000 USD. This includes visas, exit permits, flights, housing, basic needs, and guided support throughout their first year in Brazil.



#2: Is there a risk of deportation from Brazil after one year?
No one can guarantee future government policies – but Brazil has consistently taken a clear stance in favor of protecting Afghan refugees. The humanitarian resettlement pathway is officially supported by the Brazilian government, and families granted entry have been able to settle legally and receive long-term protection.



#3: Are there obligations beyond the first year?
No. Sponsorship agreements are limited to one year, in accordance with Brazilian resettlement guidelines. There are no further obligations unless you choose to continue supporting voluntarily.



#4: Can I sponsor part of a family?
Yes, partial sponsorship is possible. However, this creates additional organizational complexity, as we must match you with other co-sponsors. This can cause delays – and right now, every day counts.



#5: What happened to my previous donation?
Every donation is used immediately – for visas, shelter, emergency medical care, or flights. Even small contributions save lives. The sponsorship model was introduced in addition to our donation efforts, as many supporters have expressed a desire for a personal connection with the families they help.


#6: How does the sponsorship process work?
Once you decide to become a sponsor (full or partial), you will receive:

1. A confidentiality agreement (NDA) so we can share the anonymized case file of the family.


2. A sponsorship contract, clearly outlining the terms and process.


You may choose to:

• Transfer the full amount in one payment, or
• Pay in 12 monthly installments. (The monthly option includes a small administrative fee, as we must secure pre-financing from another partner.)
  
  

All payments go to Food for Thought Afghanistan, our on-the-ground partner coordinating with Panahgah in Brazil.



Now is the time to take action.

If you're interested in a sponsorship, please email us at:
sendlove [at] heartwork [dot] earth

Or donate directly via our emergency fund:
👉 https://heartwork.earth/peacework

We thank you deeply – for every signature, every donation, and every act of solidarity.
Let’s keep going. Together. Step by step. Family by family.

With gratitude and determination,
Nadja & Team

#ProtectAfghanWomen #NoDeportations #AdoptAFamily #SaveAfghanWomen #RefugeeRights