Syrian refugees: Halifax student plans to offer up room in apartment

A group of Halifax students are offering a room in their apartment that they'rehoping canbe used bySyrian refugees, and they'returning to a crowdfunding site to help to pay for it.

Molly Elliott lives in a three-bedroom apartment with two roommatesin north end Halifax on alease that will be up at the end of April next year. However, one of her roommates will be leavingtwo months before that.

Elliott thought about listing the room on Airbnbor subletting it, butthe idea of offering it up to a Syrian refugee or their family for a couple of months popped into her head.

"I just kind of didn't want to be one of those people who limits themselves to sharing posts and contributing only to discussion, which is of course important, but that can't be all that happens," she said.

Elliott will be starting a master's degree in engineering in January and she and her student roommates don't have the money to eat two months of rent and utility, so she wrote a post on Facebook asking if her friends would be willing to chip in.

"If we all pooled our resources, I think we could make a big difference to some individual or family," she said.

The idea received many likes and comments, so Elliott decided bring the idea to fruition. She says even her mother, "a notorious worrywart," approved ofthe plan.

$1Kgoal

Elliott has reached out to 211, the province's community and social services line,and explained her plan.She says theytold her they would pass along her information to the appropriate authorities.

Elliott has determined the idea will cost $1,000: $800 for two months rent, $100 for utilities and $100 for GoFundMe's fees.

She launched the GoFundMe page on Wednesday night and had raised $85 by early Saturday morning.

She says that if she exceeds the fundraising goal, she'll offer the money to the refugee.

"If they don't need or want it, I will pass any extras on to a reputable charity," said Elliott.

She's also been in touch with the GoFundMepeople and has been promised that if the province does not approve of her idea, the money will be refunded to donors and the websitewon'tcollect any fees.