Thursday, March 28, 2024

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Syrian white helmet refugees will be coming to Hamilton

First Published:

Nadia, Sami and their son Bashir are enjoying life in Hamilton.

“I love living here, safe, peace, everything is good for my family for my son.”

Moving over 9,000 kilometers from a war torn country they called home, isn’t without its challenges.

Sami is working construction, which he did in Syria. Nadia was a teacher, but can’t get the same job here in Hamilton. She is learning to speak English which has been the main obstacle for Syrian refugees. Nadia is taking English classes, and hopes to go to Mohawk college for early childhood education.

Organizations like Wesley Urban Ministries helped usher in the first wave of nearly 2000 Syrian refugees in 2016 and 2017

“All the newcomers part of the Syrian refugee influx are now living in the community, their kids are in school, parents are either working or in English classes, and they’re well on their way to starting their new life in Canada.”

There’s no word yet how many “white helmet” volunteers and their family members will be coming to Canada but Hamilton as a sanctuary city is ready.

Canada has agreed to take up to 50 white helmet volunteers and their families, which could be up to 250 refugees.

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