In 2021, St. Mark’s applied to sponsor a refugee family originally from Syria. The family arrived on February 9, 2023.
Kamal, Thanaa, and Lina have now been in Canada for just over a month. They are well settled in their apartment. They are very comfortable and appreciative of the support we have been able to provide. On the downside, the elevator at the apartment building has been broken for at least three weeks, and the company is having difficulty finding replacement parts. Walking up four flights of stairs is quite difficult especially for Thanaa.
The newcomers have family in Brantford so there have been several social occasions, including the other sponsors. Bob and Mieke Schroeder have helped them set up bank accounts, get their social insurance numbers and apply for their Ontario health cards. Derek Marchewka from St. Mark’s has also reached out to Kamal. Kamal took the initiative to apply for a driver’s licence. He now has his G1. Kamal and Lina both speak English and have already applied for jobs and hope to be working soon. Thanaa is eager to improve her English.
The monthly living costs are being covered by family members and private sponsors. St. Mark’s along with Grace, St James, Brantford and St. James, Paris and community friends donated most of the furniture and household goods for the apartment. The family is thankful for all the donations.
Mieke Schroeder