Earlier in the day, Almaidani, his wife Marwa Alzoubi and their two sons, Owais, 4, and Laith, 1, arrived in Newfoundland. They are the second Syrian refugee family to come to the city and are sponsored by the parish community of St. John the Evangelist Anglican Cathedral.
Even though the church has been working on the sponsorship for a few months, the family’s arrival came earlier than expected.
Dean Baxter Park was on vacation from his ministerial duties when he got an email from the Association for New Canadians on Jan. 28 saying the church’s application to sponsor a family had been accepted. It was thought they wouldn’t arrive until at least the end of this month.
But, as he was heading to the airport to return home last Tuesday, Park got another email saying the family would arrive in Canada two days later, on Feb. 4.
After the initial sense of panic wore off, Park contacted his committee because there was still lots of work to be done, including finding a home for the family.
“We couldn’t rent a house until we knew who was coming and when they were coming,” said Park. “So at that point, we had nothing.”
So he called Stelman Flynn — former Liberal MHA for Humber East who is heading up the committee looking after the sponsorship — who started an assessment of what properties were available. By Wednesday morning the committee had a house in place and set about to turn it into a home where the family could feel comfortable.
Park said the committee drew on resources in the parish to get the house ready. About 40 people helped in the effort, from buying and assembling furniture, making beds and filling the cupboards with food and dishes.
“We were confident by Friday afternoon that we were ready for them.”
Sunday morning, Park told the congregation that the family would arrive in Deer Lake at 4:30 p.m. that day. Park said they had arranged for interpreters and invited people from the parish, along with members of the Refugee Support Group and the al Homsi family — the city’s first Syrian refugee family — to go and greet the family
Park knows the family were somewhat shocked as they came off the plane, but Mohammad al Homsi told them they were going to be living in Corner Brook and it was a good place with good people.
Through an interpreter, Almaidani told the group he was shy and humble, but incredibly gratified by the sponsorship and thankful to be here.
After collecting their meagre belongings, the family were brought to their new home in the city. Park said seeing their reaction was very satisfying.
As the family gets settled, the committee will continue to work with and assist them. Monday was spent setting up phone, television and banking services.
“I think we’re beginning to see what I’ve believed all along, that Corner Brook is a very welcoming community and that we’re all very happy to have these people out of the misery that they were in and joining us in make a better city,” Park said.
“I know that this city is going to give them a real opportunity and I’m very, very grateful about that.”
Twitter:@WS_DianeCrocker
Earlier in the day, Almaidani, his wife Marwa Alzoubi and their two sons, Owais, 4, and Laith, 1, arrived in Newfoundland. They are the second Syrian refugee family to come to the city and are sponsored by the parish community of St. John the Evangelist Anglican Cathedral.
Even though the church has been working on the sponsorship for a few months, the family’s arrival came earlier than expected.
Dean Baxter Park was on vacation from his ministerial duties when he got an email from the Association for New Canadians on Jan. 28 saying the church’s application to sponsor a family had been accepted. It was thought they wouldn’t arrive until at least the end of this month.
But, as he was heading to the airport to return home last Tuesday, Park got another email saying the family would arrive in Canada two days later, on Feb. 4.
After the initial sense of panic wore off, Park contacted his committee because there was still lots of work to be done, including finding a home for the family.
“We couldn’t rent a house until we knew who was coming and when they were coming,” said Park. “So at that point, we had nothing.”
So he called Stelman Flynn — former Liberal MHA for Humber East who is heading up the committee looking after the sponsorship — who started an assessment of what properties were available. By Wednesday morning the committee had a house in place and set about to turn it into a home where the family could feel comfortable.
Park said the committee drew on resources in the parish to get the house ready. About 40 people helped in the effort, from buying and assembling furniture, making beds and filling the cupboards with food and dishes.
“We were confident by Friday afternoon that we were ready for them.”
Sunday morning, Park told the congregation that the family would arrive in Deer Lake at 4:30 p.m. that day. Park said they had arranged for interpreters and invited people from the parish, along with members of the Refugee Support Group and the al Homsi family — the city’s first Syrian refugee family — to go and greet the family
Park knows the family were somewhat shocked as they came off the plane, but Mohammad al Homsi told them they were going to be living in Corner Brook and it was a good place with good people.
Through an interpreter, Almaidani told the group he was shy and humble, but incredibly gratified by the sponsorship and thankful to be here.
After collecting their meagre belongings, the family were brought to their new home in the city. Park said seeing their reaction was very satisfying.
As the family gets settled, the committee will continue to work with and assist them. Monday was spent setting up phone, television and banking services.
“I think we’re beginning to see what I’ve believed all along, that Corner Brook is a very welcoming community and that we’re all very happy to have these people out of the misery that they were in and joining us in make a better city,” Park said.
“I know that this city is going to give them a real opportunity and I’m very, very grateful about that.”
Twitter:@WS_DianeCrocker
