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Fundraiser for Syrian residents getting settled in West Kelowna

In the meantime, Morris said her community is working overtime to ensure its new Syrian residents have a smooth transition

West Kelownasa国际传媒檚 new Syrian residents are still getting their bearings, while the group who sponsored their relocation continue to work tirelessly to ensure they have everything they need.

Gioia Morris, West Kelowna Initiative for Refugee Settlement  spokesperson, said a fundraiser to help offset some of the costs that the family of six will accrue as they get integrated in the community is scheduled for this spring.

Journalist Amanda Lindhout has agreed to speak in Kelowna June 6  for the fundraiser. Dollars collected will go to the helping settle the families making the Okanagan home.

Lindhout will delve into her bestselling memoir, A House in the Sky, which details her 15 month ordeal of being kidnapped and held for ransom in Somalia.

She has found healing through forgiveness and compassion, as well as extensive counselling for PTSD.

In the meantime, Morris said her community is working overtime to ensure its new Syrian residents have a smooth transition, but theresa国际传媒檚 still a lot of work to do.

sa国际传媒淭his has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life actually. The people in this group (who sponsored the family) have such big hearts and so generous,sa国际传媒 she said, noting that the family arrived Jan. 28, which was about a month ahead of schedule.

sa国际传媒淎 gentleman offered his housesa国际传媒 hesa国际传媒檚 (loaned) them a completely furnished home with a view of the lake and he moved into the basement,sa国际传媒 said Morris.

sa国际传媒淚t turned out that he, himself, was a Bulgarian refugee from 25 years ago, and he said sa国际传媒業 want to help them, they can have my house.sa国际传媒檚a国际传媒

Together theysa国际传媒檙e planning to plant a garden in the summer.

There have been countless more examples of kindness and generosity, said Morris, noting that the childrensa国际传媒檚 new school has been particularly notable.

sa国际传媒淭he principal at (the school) has been amazing at helping us prepare,sa国际传媒 she said.

sa国际传媒淲e were able to visit the two different classrooms, a Grade 1 and Grade 4/5 split class and when we got there the students welcomed them, smiling and waving.

sa国际传媒淭he school did a great job preparing the kids.sa国际传媒

The warmth and generosity extended to the family has not been lost on them.

sa国际传媒淭hey are extremely overwhelmed, but they are so grateful,sa国际传媒 said Morris. sa国际传媒淭hey will not stop saying thank you. The kids are so happy, they are so loving.sa国际传媒

None of the family members speak English just yet, but they are intent on learning.

The father of the family already is hoping to find work, Morris said.

sa国际传媒淗esa国际传媒檚 motivated, but he has little education,sa国际传媒 she said. sa国际传媒淓nglish is our first priority, after housing.sa国际传媒

To learn more about the fundraising efforts go to https://www.facebook.com/wkirs.

 





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