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https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/dima_aldahouk_syrian_refugee_and_world_champion
“Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward like the one who did it.”
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Impact: Hamilton, ON
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This campaign will collect all funds raised by August 24, 2018 at 11:45 PM EDT
Against all odds, Dema Dahouk, a para-athlete, became an international table tennis champion. She arrived in Canada in 2017 as part of the government's commitment to resettle Syrian refugees in Canada.
Dema's dream is to become Canada's Paralympic Champion.
The Syrian Canadian Foundation wants to help make Dema's dream come true. We will sponsor Dema to participate in local and international tournaments, starting with the September 2018 Canadian Para Championships in Markham, Ontario. The money raised will go towards Dema's training, equipment and travel costs.
Please donate to make Dema's dream come true!
At the age of 3, a medical error after a horrible car accident, rendered Dema paraplegic. In her small hometown in Syria, disability meant life was over. Even her family gave up on her.
"My family didn't even get me a wheelchair and they told me I couldn't do anything," Dema says.
Dema sank into despair. In her teen years, she contemplated suicide. But at the age of 15, Dema found a gym for disabled athletes and began to lift weights. She built strength, gained confidence and found hope for a better future.
At the gym, Dema found a coach that helped her become an international table tennis champion. She won one tournament after the other.
At the gym, Dema also found another treasure: the love of her life, Osama Joha, a para-athlete, basketball and weightlifting champion.
"He was my number one support," Dema says. "He encouraged and pushed me past many milestones."
Dema training at home
War broke out in Syria, and in 2015, Dema and Osama fled to Turkey. There, they met victims of war, with limbs blown off, who were left in dire conditions, without proper accommodations or services. Dema and Osama volunteered their time and expertise. They taught them how to function with disability and they began a fitness and wellness program hoping to pull the refugees out of physical and psychological distress.
Today, Dema and Osama live in Hamilton, Ontario with their two boys. Dema wants to represent Canada in international tournaments. She wants to win medals for the country that gave her family a safe haven. Despite the many challenges, and her inability to train while fleeing from war and living in difficult circumstances in Turkey, Dema never gave up on her dream. As soon as she arrived in Canada, she set her mind to getting back on her winning track.
In July 2017, Dema competed in her first tournament in Canada: the Butterfly Canadian Championships (a national table tennis tournament). She scored a gold in the doubles and a silver in singles!
Beyond pursuing her own ambitions in sports, Dema’s dream is to help others who face similar challenges. In her current hometown of Hamilton, Dema met dozens of people with disabilities that became inspired by her story. Dema wants to start a fitness and wellness program for them in Hamilton to help bring hope and confidence into their lives.
The Syrian Canadian Foundation is a volunteer driven non-profit organization that aims to promote cross cultural exchanges to empower Syrian newcomers in Canada, like Dema.
Giving is better together! Your share could raise over 0.
https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/dima_aldahouk_syrian_refugee_and_world_champion
“Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward like the one who did it.”
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
An Anonymous kind soul
Ali Mazhari
Hasan Raza
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Yasmine Hussain
Abdullah Tammour
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John Gell
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3 Day Extension to Dema's Campaign!
Hello Everyone,
Thank you for your continued support to Dema's campaign. Because of your generous donations, we have raised $9,500! We still have $500 left to raise, so we have extended our deadline to Friday, August 24th. If you still haven't asked your friends and family to donate, now is the time! Thank you!
FINAL PUSH for Dema's Dream!
Hello Everyone!
I am happy to announce that we have raised 75% of our goal for Dema's Dream! However, our work is not done yet. Today is the LAST day for Dema's campaign and we need your help to raise the last $2,500! Please share Dema's Dream with your friends, family, colleagues and more. Thank you for your continued support!
Crowdfunding Campaign: www.launchgood.com/dema
CBC News Article:
https://www.cbc.ca/
CBC Video:
Dema is registered for the 2018 Canadian Para Championships!
Hello Everyone,
Thank you for supporting Dema's Dream! As of this update, we have reached 40% of our goal. We are excited to announce that Dema is now registered for the upcoming 2018 Canadian Para Championships, happening this September in Markham! This competition is a huge step towards achieving Dema's dream. Representatives from the Canadian Paralympic Committee will be in attendance and we want them to see our champion in action!
We still need your support to complete our campaign. 60% of our funds are yet to be raised, and we need those funds to get Dema a professional trainer. Please share #DemasDream with your friends and continue to spread the word!
Giving is better together! Your share could raise over 0.
https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/dima_aldahouk_syrian_refugee_and_world_champion
“Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward like the one who did it.”
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
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Giving is better together! Your share could raise over 0.
https://www.launchgood.com/v4/campaign/dima_aldahouk_syrian_refugee_and_world_champion
“Whoever guides someone to goodness will have a reward like the one who did it.”
— Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
