Barbara Latkowski
Caledonia Courier
The Syrian Refugee Group of Fort St. James is ready to sponsor a Syrian Family.
It was confirmed at the Aug. 17 committee meeting that $37,680 has already been raised.
About $27,000 was needed before the process could even begin.
The sponsorship process is currently being run through the Central Mennonite Committee who have been providing continued support to the group in Fort St. James regarding sponsorship and all that is involved.
The committee has also been providing training and information regarding Syrian culture, language and community obligations that are expected once a family arrives.
Some important facts:
- As of July 15, 7,000,000 Syrians have been displaced.
- About 52 per-cent of Syrian refugees are under the age of 18.
- Majority of children living outside of Syria are not attending school.
- Communication (language) is identified as being the main educational concern by Syrian refugees.
- Many Syrians are Palestinian refugees as well.
- Early marriage for girls is sometimes used as a method of protection but this can lead to many other problems
- A large amount of grief and loss is part of a Syrian family’s reality.
It is facts such as these that have been brought forward by the Central Mennonite Committee.
The Fort St. James Syrian Refugee Group has decided they will choose a family as a group.
Many Syrian refugees already have government sponsorship but are still waiting for an invitation in hopes of a new beginning in a community such as Fort St. James.
Sub committees have been formed in the following areas such as: education, employment, housing, medical and mobility, fundraising and transportation.
For anyone who would still like to make a donation, they can do so at the Integris Credit Union in Fort St. James.
Raffle tickets are also being sold with some exciting prizes including a drone.
The raffle winners will be chosen on Sept. 24.
The next meeting will take place at the Fort St. James Public Library on Sept. 7 at 7:00 p.m.
All are welcome.
The Caledonia Courier continues to be a proud sponsor of the Syrian Refugee Group of Fort St. James.