By Greg Nikkel
One of the first introductions to Canadian cuisine for the Handal family, who are Syrian refugees freshly arrived in Weyburn, was to eat Canadian pizza at the Boston Pizza restaurant.
Settling into their fully-furnished modest apartment near downtown Weyburn, Ammar and Mediha Handal reached the end of a long, arduous journey that began about four years ago when they left their Syrian town and escaped into Turkey, away from the violence that invaded their home country.
The refugee family, which includes two-year-old daughter Fatma and 10-month-old son Muhannet, was settled through the help of Weyburn’s Syrian Refugee Committee, which worked for several months making all the arrangements for three refugee families. The Handals made the 27-hour flight from Istanbul first to Frankfurt, then to Toronto before finally landing at the Regina Airport in the early morning hours of Oct. 18.
They joined Ichtar Warda, who was Weyburn’s first refugee to arrive in the city, ahead of her family who are still to come. The Weyburn committee is awaiting word on when her family will be joining her, as well as when the Kabbabe family will be able to come to the city.
Joining committee representatives Doug Loden and Don and Diane Horner at the airport were Ammar’s brother Aziz Khanzal and his wife Jana Ciobanu, who drove in from Calgary to help the Handal family get settled in, and to do the many things needed to establish a new life in Canada, everything from setting up a bank account, getting phone and Internet service to getting a health care card.
Aziz has been in Canada almost nine years now, and was able to translate for Ammar and Mediha as well as to explain to them some of the nuances of Canadian culture, food and weather. Aziz had left Syria a number of years earlier and lived in Moldova, where he met and married his wife Jana, before they eventually made the journey to settle in Canada.
As Aziz explained, Ammar and his family lived in the border town of Ras Alayn, and they escaped into Turkey to a refugee camp, until Ammar developed health problems with his kidneys. He received a kidney from another brother and is in better health today.
The family was helped by Canadian officials in Istanbul, including a three-day orientation session about Canada, before boarding the plane for Saskatchewan.
“They came to Canada because it’s a peaceful place to live and a country of democracy. They will have their freedom here and will live peacefully,” said Aziz.
“It will be a future for their kids. They will have the opportunity to have an education and maybe operate a small business. Most importantly, there will be freedom and opportunity for their kids,” he added, noting they still have family members in both Turkey and Syria, and those in Syria are not able to leave because the borders have now been closed.
“They look forward to live a normal life with their kids, to live here as Canadian citizens — just to be a member of Canadian society,” said Aziz of his brother’s family.
Through Aziz, Ammar noted that everyone they have met in Canada, as well as with the Canadian government, has been very helpful to him and his family.
“People are smiling at them. They forgot about smiling years ago,” said Aziz.
Asked about the adjustment to Canadian food, compared to the food that was a part of their diet in Syria and Turkey, Aziz translated, “They don’t care about the food, as they have each other, and they’re lucky.”
As for the winter to come, both Ammar and Mehina smiled as they said through Aziz, “They will wear lots of clothes in layers to stay warm.”
The couple also expressed deep gratitude at the people they have met who are helping them, such as Don and Diane Horner among others, and indicated they were astounded at the generosity in finding a furnished apartment waiting for them, clothing, and a full fridge and pantry. “We didn’t expect this. We are amazed at the generosity for the things they have received,” said Aziz.
As one who has made the transition to Canadian life, Aziz was impressed they will have English language classes to attend. “Language is the key for everything, if you want to find a job,” he said.
“For our part, we are receiving far more than we are giving,” said Don Horner, as he and wife Diane listened to the family express their thanks for everything that has been done for them.
“It’s so good to be a country where we can share what we have, and they’re so grateful for our help. It’s very moving for us,” added Diane with tears in her eyes.
Aziz said his brother and wife’s intention is to learn about the country and the community, and in turn to be helpful to other people.
“We’re privileged to have you come to our community, to be our friends and to be with us here,” said Don.
