Letter to the Editor
Dear Editor and the community,
Over the last year, your generous support of the Meaford Refugee Welcome Group has changed the lives of a new family in the Meaford community. This would not have been possible without you. Thank you!
The Meaford Refugee Welcome Group was formed just over a year ago when a group of people was moved by the stories of harrowing journeys people were forced to take, fleeing the violence in their homeland. Our goal was to help bring a refugee family from Syria to Meaford.
As a result of the significant support the Meaford Refugee Welcome Group received from many people – through their very generous contributions of time, resources, and donations – we were able to achieve our financial goal very quickly.
We were very excited to welcome Hanan and Rajab Al Sheayer and their four children – Banin, Othman, Safa, and Aline – to Meaford in mid-February of this year. The Meaford Refugee Welcome Group worked extensively with the community for several months prior to the Al Sheayer family arriving to ensure they had a suitable home, furnishings, and food and clothing.
Since their arrival in February, the Al Sheayer family has begun to settle into our community very well. The children are in school and making friends, and their English is quickly improving. Rajab and Hanan began ESL – first at home in Meaford, and then at the school in Owen Sound – where they are continuing to improve their English-language skills. We soon discovered that Hanan is a fabulous cook, and she and Rajab kindly thanked the Meaford Refugee Welcome Group with a wonderful Syrian meal. Rajab and Hanan have become well known for their culinary abilities and participation in both the Owen Sound andMeaford markets.
Looking Ahead to 2017
As Rajab and Hanan continue to settle their family in Meaford, they know that their extended family is still in danger in Syria. A further effort, linked with the original Meaford Refugee Welcome Group, has started the planning process of bringing a second family – a sibling of Rajab or Hanan and their family – to our area.
We are seeking other people who would be interested in participating in this initiative. To this end, we have begun to meet monthly at Christ Church (Anglican) on Boucher St E. in Meaford.
As government funding is no longer available to support refugee families, fundraising is a priority for our group. Your generous support allowed us to achieve our financial goal very quickly a year ago, and we hope that you will consider supporting us again.
The number of sponsorships allowed is limited. Through the Huron Diocese – the formal sponsors of the first family – we expect to be able to apply to sponsor a further family. For this application, due in March 2017, the government requires that we have raised a minimum of $32,000. Our final target is $50,000. All money will go toward resettlement of the family in Canada and their first year living costs. If you would like to help us reach this new target, please donate now.
If you would like more information on participating in the planning committee, or on making a donation for MRWG’s “second family”, please call Christ Church at 519-538-1330, or email Cathy Miller at cathychristchurch@gmail.com.
We wish you the warmest holiday wishes and thank you for your support!
Please visit us online at https://meafordrefugeewelcome.org/.
Cathy Miller,
Chair of MRWG
