Compassion in Action: How Panahgah is Welcoming Afghan Refugees in Brazil

In this episode of “God on the Move,” Sophia Nobre shares her story as a 21-year-old law student and president of the Brazilian NGO Panahgah (a “safe haven” in Persian), which combats human trafficking and aids Afghan refugees. Sophia shares her journey from being a 13-year-old girl with a clear call from God to Panahgah’s efforts in providing support and autonomy to refugee families in Brazil, a country that has a unique approach to granting humanitarian visas. Sophia reviews her personal calling, explains how she balances her responsibilities, and talks about the power of collective church action.

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Guests in This Episode

Sophia Nobre

Sophia embarked on a legal education at Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie, in Brazil, with the dream of working in the field of human rights. In August 2021, deeply troubled by the human rights violations faced by the Afghan population, particularly women, Sophia initiated a humanitarian aid project for Afghans. This project evolved into an NGO, Panahgah, formally established in March 2022. By the end of 2022, Panahgah had successfully provided support and resettlement for over 700 Afghans in Brazil and had formed valuable partnerships with organisations like the International Organization for Migration and the United Nations.