Second Syrian family takes up residence

“Thank you very much.”

Those are the first English words spoken by Hakim Alzahran, the patriarch of his nine-member family and the latest Syrian refugee family to call Sudbury home.

Alzahran, his wife and seven children arrived at Greater Sudbury Airport on Thursday afternoon, greeted by a throng of people including the Qarqoz family, the first Syrian family in the city, as well as Michael Williams, pastor, St. Kevin's Church, and Faye Moffatt, of Trinity United Church. They are members of the Capreol Valley East sponsorship group responsible for bringing the Alzahran family to Sudbury.

Alzahran, a cab driver and curtain upholsterer, said via translator it was the best day of his life. And, while he expected a few people to greet them upon their arrival, he had no idea such a large group would show up. His wife, on the other hand, said she has come to expect nothing less of Canadians, that's how much faith she has in Canada, she said.

Looking a bit tired, but no worse for wear, Alzahran said his family is doing very well.

He said he came to Canada to give his children a better future, and that he foresees no problem in his family integrating into Canadian culture.

“They come from a good family, and they know in Canada, everyone is going to treat them well,” said his translator, Maha Dabliz.

Getting the Alzahran family to Sudbury was a months-long process, but it all happened very quickly in the end, said Williams. The group found out Tuesday night the family would be flying to Toronto on Wednesday, and then had to wait for more information for their flight to Sudbury.

“It was short notice, but we're prepared,” Williams said. “We're willing to do whatever it takes to make sure they integrated successfully into our community and into our country.”

“This is something we've been dreaming about for a long time,” said Moffatt. “We sort of connected informally over the summer, but nothing became official until October. When we were looking at profiles of refugee families, most of the families of three, four and five members were already sponsored.

“There were two larger families, one with eight members, another with nine members, and we just said, 'we have the resources, we have the ability to shelter nine people, so why don't we take the group that might have the most difficulty finding a sponsor.”

The family will be staying at a house attached to Our Lady of Peace Church in Capreol.

“It's large enough to accommodate all nine comfortably, and we have a team that has transformed it from a rectory into a home,” Williams said.

The sponsorship group has already connected with the local schools, which are working on a welcome program for the Alzahran children.

“We'll probably be touring at least the elementary schools tomorrow,” Moffatt said.