It's a girl!

What an exciting end of the (sponsorship) year: On December 13 the Abdallahs welcomed their newest family member! Little Scham was born in a Toronto hospital, and is the first Canadian citizen in the family. The baby and mum Sawsan are both doing well, and Aya and Reemas are excited to have a baby sister.

A few days before, the family talked to the CBC's The Current about their first year in Canada, and what lies ahead. There are some worries about what comes after the sponsorship ends, but Sawsan says she feels optimistic. "I feel this is home. I feel this is my country". The interview was aired today. 

"I love the humanity here", Anas tells the CBC's The Current

After just ten days in Canada, Anas was already interviewed by Piya Chattopadhyay on the CBC's The Current!  Our group member Ammar translated. It was nice to hear all the positive things he had to say about his first few days in Canada, about how welcoming everyone has been or, as he calls it, the 'humanity' he has witnessed in the country - a far cry from the harrowing experiences the family has gone through since they were forced to flee their home in Syria more than two years ago.

CBC The Current: 'Ripple Refugee Group' in Toronto welcomes Syrian family of 8

Thank you very much to Piya Chattopadhyay for producing a great documentary about our group for the CBC's The Current!