More On Our Family

By Henna Agha

When we were matched with a refugee family, we didn't know what to expect. 

Other families that have been matched with sponsorship groups have run a broad gamut of situations, language and professional skills, so we truly had no idea what to expect. We were so pleasantly surprised! 

Our family consists of six people: two grandparents, their son, daughter, son-in-law and six year old granddaughter.  Our family members are educated professionals.  Several members speak English; all are counting the days til they can come here and start a new life.

As soon as we were matched, we sent the family a letter from our group, and immediately got a response.  

What a response it was! Our family was so excited, grateful and overwhelmed to be connected with a sponsorship group.  

They connected with us by email, whattsapp, and we have had a couple of Skype calls. They are lovely people, and it comes across right away in the warmth with which they communicate. They say over and over that they have a new family in Canada now. 

Aleppo, Syria

They are living under very tenuous conditions in Lebanon after having fled their hometown of Aleppo, Syria several years ago.  

Lebanon recently changed the laws to make it impossible for Syrian refugees to find legal employment.  Hiring Syrians is banned. Many refugees are forced to work under the table and at very minimal salaries.  Our family is doing whatever is necessary to survive. 

Despite this precarious situation, which could change for the worse at any moment, they are positive and hopeful. They are ready to come to Canada now! All their questions of us have to do with timing. When, when can they come?? They have gone the extra step of submitting their professional credentials to Canadian authorities for evaluation so they will know what they are going to have to do to work here in their professions.

They've told us they do 'google tours' of Toronto, to get to know their adopted city,

They're practicing their English, and reading as much as they can about life in Canada. If we told them they were getting on a plane in a week, they would be overjoyed. When we conveyed to them the disappointing news that the process to get them here would potentially drag on, we also reiterated our commitment to them.  

This is what I will tell you. Our goals, our commitment, to bring this new family to Canada has not changed. Despite the fact that this process is dragging on interminably, we are 100% ready to support this family and their transition to Canada. They, and we, cannot wait to meet each other in person.