Syrian Refugee Support

The Al Berro family consisting of father Ayman Al Berro, mother Habkiya (Habah) Al Rahmoun, son, Mohamad, and daughter, Nada, arrived  from Lebanon on December 6, 2016. For more than one year prior, the First United Refugee Settlement Team  (FURST)  fundraised to cover our portion of the Blended Visa Office Referral (BVOR) one year sponsorship. The team found a rental home, furnished it, filled it with food, clothes and daily living supplies. In the months that followed we helped them adjust to a cold Canadian winter, it’s customs and sports, helped them with their English, found them a vehicle, got them set up with medical and dental care, looked after children, helped find employment and tried our best to make them feel welcomed in their new country. Bright and inquisitive, Mohamad started Kindergarten in September 2017 and has flourished. This September (2019), Nada will start kindergarten. The family has recently moved to a bright spacious townhouse and are looking forward to welcoming the newest addition to the family. The family is growing, healthy, happy and very thankful to be living in a safe country. Some members of FURST are still involved with the family as mentors and friends and the sponsorship experience has enriched all our lives. 

Darlene Ogilvie (Co-Chair of FURST)