United Codiac Refugee Committee (UCRC)
In mid-May, Najah and her 4 daughters finally arrived in Moncton. Najah and her daughters, originally from Syria, had been living in Lebanon for the past few years and are settling in well to life in Moncton.
- Batoul (14 years) is in grade 9 at Harrison Trimble.
- Israa (12 years), Jinane (10 years) and Nour (8 years) are all attending Queen Elizabeth School
- Najah has begun English lessons at MAGMA.
During the summer, the family enjoyed several outings in the area, including a picnic, visit to a volunteer’s cottage and swim, trip to the zoo, strawberry picking, visit to Hopewell Rocks, and hiking and swimming in Kouchibouguac National Park. Throughout the summer, one of our team’s volunteers met with the family 2 or 3 times a week to help them learn the basics of English. The three oldest family members have received their covid vaccinations, and all family members will soon begin getting caught up on their regular vaccinations (tetanus/diptheria, etc.).
Najah and the girls have family living in Moncton (Najah’s brother-in-law and his family) and the two families enjoy being together after having been separated for several years. We currently have a very dedicated small team of volunteers supporting the family, but could use 2 or 3 more volunteers to help with transportation to medical and dental appointments, and school support. If you are interested or would like more
information, please contact one of the Post-Settlement Team co-chairs:
- Bob Adsett at robertadsett@gmail.com or phone: 384-8266, or
- Claudia Schaerer at claudiaschaerer@hotmail.com or phone: 389-4320.
The Ilhemus family who moved to Moncton nearly 3 years ago (already!) are very well settled.
The parents, Suaad and Dhafer, have nearly completed Level 4 English language training at MAGMA. Their 4-year old, Misk, attends daycare at MAGMA and is definitely ready to attend school! The remaining 4 children (7 yr. old Abdul, 12 yr. old Afnan, 18 yr. old Jannat and 19 yr. old Jehan) are in the French school system and all are doing very well.
The children, especially the younger ones, flip back and forth between English and French and Arabic with ease.
Manar, the first refugee sponsored by UCRC, arrived in Moncton in April 2017. He was unsuccessful in getting his medical credentials recognized in New Brunswick. In spring 2019, Manar flew to Germany, where his brother lives, learned German in 6 months, had his medical credentials recognized and is now working as a family doctor. In June 2021, Manar flew back to Syria to marry his long-time fiancée, Haya. Haya is now in Germany with Manar. Haya is trained as a doctor, and hopes to work as a doctor. We wish them both well as they begin married life together!
There is another family that UCRC is in the process of assisting.
The Alqadi family (mother, father and 3 year old daughter) is currently living in the United Arab Emirates and has been trying for several years to immigrate to Moncton to join the wife’s parents and brother. The funds necessary to support the family for one year have been raised by the relatives. UCRC recently heard that there is some movement on the family’s file. We are hopeful that the family will arrive in Canada within the next year. UCRC’s responsibility with this family will be to help with orientation and paperwork associated with arriving in Canada as refugees.
