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Albetar family settles in to Summerland

Since their arrival in late March, the Albetar family of Syrian refugees have been adapting to their new home.
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The Albetar family from Syria have been adapting to life in Canada. The family

Since their arrival in Summerland in late March, the Albetar family of Syrian refugees have been adapting to their new home, but the language remains a challenge.

The family of five are among 10,000 Syrian refugees resettling in Canada over the next three years.

They are being sponsored by the Summerland United Church.

Speaking through a translator, they said they love everything about being in Canada, although the English language remains an obstacle for them.

The three children, all attending school in Summerland, each have teacher’s aides working with them to help them pick up the basics of the language.

Sisters Bayan Albetar, 17 and Razan Albetar, 15, both attending Summerland Secondary School, are also enrolled in an English as a Second Language class with three Japanese girls.

Their brother Ghassan Albetar, 10, is working with an aide and has not yet become fully immersed in the English classes. While he enjoys soccer and bicycling, he continues to find the language difficult.

The three children have picked up some English during their time in Canada and are working to learn more.

The family’s language challenges continue at the grocery stores, as they try to read the labels on food packages.

Most of the foods and ingredients they want are available locally or in Penticton, but reading the labels to find specific ingredients is difficult, said Nadya Alsaghar.

They added that since arriving in Canada, they have discovered new foods they love, including hot dogs, lasagne and pizza.

Mohammed Hussam Albetar, a sign and banner maker by trade, would like to continue his work in Canada. The hand-created signs he has made in the past include street signs and house signs.

While the language barrier is the greatest challenge for the Albetar family, the distance between them and their family and friends has been the most difficult part of their move.

Nadya Alsaghar said her brother and mother have not been able to join them in Canada.

Some of their family and friends remain in Syria while others are in a refugee camp in Jordan.

They are able to stay in touch by telephone and online communications, but the distance is noticeable, the family members say.

Despite the difficulties, the family members are happy to be in Summerland.

The town and the people have been extremely generous to them, said Nadya Alsaghar.

 



John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
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