St. Dominic Refugee Committee Newsletter, January 2017

• Anwar celebrated a birthday was this month and the Committee honoured that with a cake and refreshments.  His first birthday in Canada!
• Nour and Anwar have each moved up a level in their English Language Training.  This is significant because it is very difficult to advance a whole level in such a short time.
  

  

  
  
• Sharon performed in a variety show at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community Centre and met John McCallum, the Federal Minister of Refugees and Immigration.  He thanked us for sponsoring our couple from Syria.  We in turn, thank the parish for their support!
• Good news - The Federal government will not require refugees to pay their travel and immigration screening expenses. 
• A used sewing machine was provided by a parishioner.  Nour was shown how to use it by Judy, accompanied by our team translator, Nayer. Thanks to you all.
  

  

  
  
• Our family will need to be self-supporting in August so employment is important.  A company in Oakville that has provided Anwar a part-time opportunity to work and earn an hourly wage.  He will be able to continue the very important English Language classes.  The committee worked hard to find the right combination of hours, bus routes, ESL schedule and location to make this happen.
• Thank you to Carpet Warehouse for donating an area rug to cozy up their apartment. Canada must seem very cold to our newcomers!
• Health is important and the team is ensuring they get the medical and dental care they need.
• We are planning to take Nour and Anwar to the Syrian History Exhibit at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto in February in order to deepen our appreciation of their ancient culture. Learn more about the exhibit here: Aga Khan Museum Syrian Exhibit
• https://www.agakhanmuseum.org/syria-living-history