It has already been more than two years since we welcomed two Syrian families. It is certainly time to present an update on their situation.
We first welcomed the Alhanout family on February 17, 2017. The father, Elyas, is now a sexton at Saint-Antoine-de-Padoue Parish. He had previously worked for several months at the Chez Lise rooming house. However, his parish work provides a much more familiar environment for a Melkite priest and he is very pleased with it.
As far as finances go, the family situation is improving. Antoinette, the mother of the family, has successfully completed her program of francization. She quickly found a job in a small grocery store near her home. Unfortunately, due to a decrease in clientele, she recently lost her job and is looking for a new one.
Young Marcel, who spoke at the launching of the SNJM Corporate Stand on Migrants and Refugees, has found a new job at the Dorval airport that suits him well. His brother Michel is finishing his first year of studies in biology at Concordia University. He is devoting all his time to studying so that he may successfully pass his end-of-term exams.
In short, the family is doing well and is continuing to adapt to Quebec society.