Dec
9
by Marianna Harris
The United Churches of the North Shore are sponsoring a refugee family from Al Hol Camp in the desert of Syria. This camp is being closed in 2011 and the Canadian Government is seeking sponsors from the Vancouver area for refugees that have been approved to come to Canada. These people are stateless. In 1948 they fled from Palestine to Iraq and have not been allowed to return. When the war against Iraq broke out these families fled to Syria. All have been traumatized by the war. Earlier this year other members of the extended family came to B.C. under the refugee sponsorship program. They are settling in well. With great joy we welcomed the Al -Azaizeh family on April 27th. They have moved into their apartment in Burnaby. We will continue to support them as they adjust to life in Canada. The children will start school and the parents will enroll in English classes. If you would like to support the sponsorship of refugees financially send a cheque to St. Andrew's United Church (refugee fund). Or to get involved more personally call us and offer your time to make friends with these new Canadians and to help them settle in our area. Photo by http://www.flickr.com/photos/masser/with/2285062975/ masser