Mohamad Rabee Tabanjat waves as his family arrives at Penticton airport in January. With him are his wife Aya and behind are their children Fatima, 8, and son Samer, 6. (Richard McGuire file photo)
Dear Editor:
On behalf of the steering committee and the volunteers of the Osoyoos Refugee Project, we would like to submit this update as an Open Letter to the community.
To the kind people in Osoyoos and area, you have accomplished something truly amazing.
Just four weeks ago, our Syrian family arrived to a warm welcome at the Penticton Airport.
Since then, we have kept them busy completing and signing government papers, getting bank accounts and utilities set up and registering the children at the school.
Everything has required an interpreter because their English is very basic. Even our alphabet is new to them and so different from the Arabic script.
Can you imagine how difficult that must be?
However, they are very anxious to learn as quickly as possible and it wasn’t long before they were asking for more practice.
We are lucky to have three former ESL (English as a Second Language) volunteer teachers to instruct the parents Mohamad and Aya for two hours, four days a week.
We are starting to set up a schedule of an extra hour of practice time in the afternoons with those volunteers who signed up for our Circle of Friends.
The children have started school and are slowly integrating into a very new experience for them both. The family is so grateful for the warm welcome the school children and teachers have provided to Fatima and Samer.
There is nothing like listening to their squeals of delight out on the playground. Those never need any interpreter.
Both children are picking up English and adapting to a very new culture. Neither of them had been able to attend school regularly in the three years they spent in Lebanon.
The gift of education will impact their lives forever.
The family has been amazed by their lovely home and all the effort that went into preparing it and furnishing it, including beautiful quilts and throws that were made especially for them.
The tags attached said Welcome to Canada.
That speaks volumes to someone who does not understand English, but does quickly recognize the Canadian flag.
Please know, each of you, that your gifts have found a loving home.
Warm interactions with caring people have greatly reduced their fears of this unknown culture.
Please don’t hesitate to say hello, welcome them and introduce yourselves if you see them in town.
Much can be accomplished with a smile and a friendly Hello. That will translate well no matter what language is spoken.
Michael & Vera Ryan
Co-ordinators
Osoyoos Refugee Project
