Edmonton Syrian refugees dream of giving back to Canada
Couple hopes to use their skills to enrich community
A young Syrian mother dreams of the day when she can use her skills as a psychologist to help other refugees, the same way Canadians are helping her family.
But first Narin Qaragoulr, 32, has a more pressing goal: to learn English. The first step, she says, in pursuing her dream.
Still, she and her husband, Shiyar Abdullah, 31, who arrived in Alberta six months ago, are eager to express their gratitude for their new country, in their new language.
"Canada, very beautiful. Very nice. I love Canada. Thank you Canada," said Qaragoulr, smiling with gratitude and occasionally reaching out to stroke her three-year-old son's head.
"Thank you to the government Canada, coming here (to) Canada, and helping everybody Syrian," added Abdullah.
The arrival of refugees such as Qaragoulr, Abdullah and their son is just the beginning of what has since turned into a national project.
Canadians across the country are now preparing to welcome 25,000 refugees by February 2016. Up to 3,000 will end up in Alberta, about half in Edmonton.
Many such as Qaragoulr and Abdullah are government-sponsored refugees, grateful for the generosity of their new country, even though they never wanted to leave.
"When we speak with refugees, there's a tremendous sense of gratitude that is expressed, a tremendous sense of relief, but also a tremendous sadness," said Stephen Carattini, chief executive officer of Catholic Social Services, which will settle hundreds of refugees in Edmonton and Red Deer.
"Most refugees don't want to leave their country, they are being forced to do so."
Indeed, just five years ago life near Aleppo, Syria was peaceful, prosperous and happy, the couple explained through a translator.
Abudullah worked as a software technician, Qaragoulr counselled students. The newly married couple never dreamed they were about to become refugees.
Country fell into chaos
Then the economy tanked. People revolted.
Just as clashes broke out between the government and opposition, Qaragoulr went into labour.
The bombing intensified. For 10 days the couple took cover with other patients in the basement of the hospital. That's where Qaragoulr gave birth to son Payam.
The day they brought their newborn home from the hospital was memorable. But not in a way they care to remember. They walked 22 km, dodging bombs and clashes the entire way.
Then one day on a trip to the market, a shell exploded about 10 metres away. The new parents felt they had no choice but to flee, for Payam's sake.
When they left, they left everything behind — their home, their loved ones, their dreams.
In Istanbul, where his sister lived, Abdullah worked long hours as a labourer. The family registered with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Six months later they learned Canada would be their new home.
It took them two days to walk to the airport. In June they finally touched down in Calgary.
They didn't know what awaited them. But they were greeted warmly at the airport and soon overwhelmed by feelings of relief and happiness.
Couple felt peace after years of fear
For the first time in two and a half years, the couple felt peace and security, but also awe that Canadians, who didn't even know them, could be so good, so generous.
They said they hope to use their skills to give back to their new community.
"Many of the refugees, particularly coming from Iraq and Syria, are very well-educated" and up until recently lived middle-class lives, Carattini said.
Carattini listed off examples of refugees who went on to buy homes, start businesses and watch their children graduate.
"That is the return on investment that this country and this province is making in these refugees," Carattini said.
"Our community is going to be enriched by these people coming, and they will have skills and talents that I think we will be surprised by."
And while Qaragoulr and Abdullah pray for peace in Syria and the safety of the loved ones they left behind, they are bravely building a new life in Edmonton.
Abdullah is three months into English classes, and Qaragoulr will soon join him, after Payam starts day care.
But that's not all putting a smile on their faces. The young couple has just learned that Qaragoulr is pregnant with their second child.
And they will rest a little easier knowing this baby's life will have a peaceful beginning.