Syrian refugee children celebrated in East Vancouver school
Posted April 16, 2016 5:53 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Some new kids to Canada got to celebrate today as a part of a United Way campaign. The children at Tecumseh Elementary also helped give the Syrian refugees a warm welcome.
Some of the pieces of art kids were particularly attached to were keychains.
Carrie Froese is the Vice-Principal of Tecumseh Elementary, she says refugees don’t choose to be refugees and the students picked up on that.
“These are people that love their homes and love their families and places that they’ve grown up with, but had to leave because they are not safe,” she says. “The reason they brought the keychain is that they want to go back.”
CEO of the United Way of the Lower Mainland, Michael McKnight says this event was a great way to welcome these new Canadians.
“We wanted to take the opportunity to integrate them into the neighbourhood, to introduce them to their neighbours and let them know what supports are around in our community to help.”
Nadal brought his kids to the event.
He spoke through a translator to say how happy he was to see the kids celebrating.
“When I fled my country, the reason why I wanted to seek refuge and safety in another place was for the children and for them to have a really good future.”
