Editor: The Times
Last fall a community meeting was held to determine what interest there was for Clearwater to sponsor a refugee family from Syria. Clearwater responded with generosity in donations, fundraising and sharing talents.
At the beginning of February the Hamra family arrived. Immediately the core volunteer group fell in love with the two lovely preschoolers. On March 5 a beautiful baby boy was born.
Volunteers worked with the family to set up banking, post office services, English lessons, shopping, preschool activities and medical appointments.
Working through interpreters, the family made known their desire to move to Kamloops where there are people who speak Arabic and where they could attend a mosque.
Working with the Refugees and Friends Together (RAFT) group in Kamloops, it was decided to honor the family’s wishes and in the beginning of April the family moved to Kamloops.
When I visited the family recently, they expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the people of Clearwater for helping them to get to Canada. They are happily settled into their new home and are attending English classes.
RAFT in Clearwater retains the funds raised and is currently searching for another refugee family to live in our community.
A meeting to update the public on the refugee resettlement will be held by RAFT in Kamloops at 7 p.m. on May 16 at Kamloops United Church. All are welcome.
Sandra Holmes
Clearwater, B.C.