Dear Certent/DisclosureNet Team,

I am writing to you to thank-you for your generous donation to the Ziyadeh family’s Christmas gift fund. In 2016, people across Canada opened their hearts and their wallets to help Syrian refugees. Thank you for joining this initiative and being a part of a tremendous movement. It is said that it takes a community to raise a child. It also takes a community to welcome a refugee family. Thanks to your kindness and generosity, the Ziyadeh family’s first Christmas in Canada was extraordinary.

It has been a remarkable year for the Ziyadeh family! Last February, after living in Jordan for 3 ½ years as refugees, they were given a glimmer of hope with notification that they were on Canada’s list of Syrian refugees being welcomed into Canada in 2016. After several months of anxious waiting, paperwork, medical tests and security checks, the Ziyadeh family received their airline tickets to Toronto. They arrived on Thursday July 21^st on Egypt Air after a long journey that started in Amman, Jordan. My St. Gregory’s Resettlement Group welcomed Dany, Sanaa, Meritta and Silina at the airport with open arms and they have not looked back. After one month in Canada, Dany proclaimed that it had been, “The best month of his life”.

Together you raised $460 to put towards Christmas gifts. Assisted by a member of our Resettlement Group, Dany and Sanaa went to Mastermind and spent $360 on toys and books for their girls. The store wrapped-up the gifts and the gifts were secretly delivered when the girls were not home, so that the gifts could be a surprise on Christmas Day. With the remaining money, I took the two girls shopping to pick out gifts for their parents. They wanted to purchase a beautiful dress for their Mom, so we went to Winners (to keep within our budget) and found a gorgeous dress. A new shirt and pants were found for their Dad. I gave the girls wrapping paper and tape, so that they could wrap-up the gifts and put them under the tree. The girls were thrilled with their purchases. I am sure their Christmas morning was magical!

In Syria, 10 % of the population is Christian. In Arabic, Merry Christmas is Milad Majid. On Christmas Eve, Saint Nicholas delivers gifts to children. The smallest camel (of the camels that carried the Three Wise Kings), assists with the toy delivery. Syrian children leave their shoes at the front door filled with hay and some water to feed the camel. The hay is replaced with gifts and goodies for the children. Christmas lights are an important part of the season. In Syria, real trees are not used, however our family experienced their first fresh Christmas tree this season. Members of our group contributed lights and ornaments and on one Saturday in early December, we had a tree decorating party. Chicken is the traditional dish served on Christmas Day. This year the family had a turkey dinner with two leaders from our group and their five adult children and spouses. The Ziyadehs had a lovely Christmas, combining new and old traditions.

My Resettlement group will be at the family’s side for the next six months, gently guiding them through the hills and valleys of being newcomers in Canada. As privately sponsored refugees, their experience has been slightly easier than others. Dany is working full-time and they are all learning English very quickly. My group is helping them face their first Canadian winter and support them as they go through periods of homesickness, missing their families who are now scattered around the world. Helping this family has been a very rewarding experience for my group and an absolute highlight of my year.

Thanks again for your generous donations! Milad Majid and all the best in 2017!

Lianne Hill