The long hours of preparation are finally coming to a conclusion for members of the Chemainus Community Refugee Support Team.
“It’s actually happening,” declared CCRST’s Robyn Gerland.
The Syrian family of six being supported by the group was due to arrive in Victoria yesterday (Wednesday, March 7), pending the exact flight time that at last word Wednesday morning had been delayed.
“The plan is for them to stay with relatives for the first two nights,” Gerland indicated. “They will likely be exhausted and overwhelmed and being both in need of and grateful for familiar faces and a language which they can speak.”
The house finally found for the family, after nearly two years of searching amid soaring prices, is in Duncan. It was ready for the family’s arrival as of last weekend.
Visits were made to the few available houses in Chemainus, but the group was not successful with its rental requests, according to Gerland.
“I know that this may be somewhat disappointing to some of you but, in truth, the small Syrian community in Duncan and the Cowichan Intercultural Society’s resources will make the family’s transition much more pleasant, and that, of course, is what we are about,” she indicated.
“Thanks again to everyone who, one way or another, made this possible.”