West Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 new Syrian residents are still getting their bearings, while the group who sponsored their relocation continue to work tirelessly to ensure they have everything they need.

Gioia Morris, West Kelowna Initiative for Refugee Settlement  spokesperson, said a fundraiser to help offset some of the costs that the family of six will accrue as they get integrated in the community is scheduled for this spring.

Journalist Amanda Lindhout has agreed to speak in Kelowna June 6  for the fundraiser. Dollars collected will go to the helping settle the families making the Okanagan home.

Lindhout will delve into her bestselling memoir, A House in the Sky, which details her 15 month ordeal of being kidnapped and held for ransom in Somalia.

She has found healing through forgiveness and compassion, as well as extensive counselling for PTSD.

In the meantime, Morris said her community is working overtime to ensure its new Syrian residents have a smooth transition, but there香蕉视频直播檚 still a lot of work to do.

香蕉视频直播淭his has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life actually. The people in this group (who sponsored the family) have such big hearts and so generous,香蕉视频直播� she said, noting that the family arrived Jan. 28, which was about a month ahead of schedule.

香蕉视频直播淎 gentleman offered his house香蕉视频直播� he香蕉视频直播檚 (loaned) them a completely furnished home with a view of the lake and he moved into the basement,香蕉视频直播� said Morris.

香蕉视频直播淚t turned out that he, himself, was a Bulgarian refugee from 25 years ago, and he said 香蕉视频直播業 want to help them, they can have my house.香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈��

Together they香蕉视频直播檙e planning to plant a garden in the summer.

There have been countless more examples of kindness and generosity, said Morris, noting that the children香蕉视频直播檚 new school has been particularly notable.

香蕉视频直播淭he principal at (the school) has been amazing at helping us prepare,香蕉视频直播� she said.

香蕉视频直播淲e were able to visit the two different classrooms, a Grade 1 and Grade 4/5 split class and when we got there the students welcomed them, smiling and waving.

香蕉视频直播淭he school did a great job preparing the kids.香蕉视频直播�

The warmth and generosity extended to the family has not been lost on them.

香蕉视频直播淭hey are extremely overwhelmed, but they are so grateful,香蕉视频直播� said Morris. 香蕉视频直播淭hey will not stop saying thank you. The kids are so happy, they are so loving.香蕉视频直播�

None of the family members speak English just yet, but they are intent on learning.

The father of the family already is hoping to find work, Morris said.

香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 motivated, but he has little education,香蕉视频直播� she said. 香蕉视频直播淓nglish is our first priority, after housing.香蕉视频直播�

To learn more about the fundraising efforts go to https://www.facebook.com/wkirs.