News of a Syrian refugee family
The Alrayes family, who arrived in Montreal in July of 2017, are the third refugee family to have been sponsored by a group composed of interdenominational lay and religious collaborators including several Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary (SNJM) and SNJM Associates.
Filled with memories of the atrocities experienced in Syria and worries about family members still there, the family has had to adapt to a new country, with a different language and alphabet; a challenging climate, especially in winter; and so many different ways of doing things (food shopping, banking practices, municipal regulations, etc.) It has certainly been a challenge and it continues to be so.
The family has often expressed gratitude for the untiring support of members of the Refugee Sponsorship Committee of St. Monica’s Parish. From the very beginning they have been blessed by the presence of exceptional volunteers. Tutors have provided instruction five times a week both for the children enrolled in “classes d’accueil” (welcome classes) and for the parents who have attended government-funded French classes.