After leaving everything behind to emigrate from war-torn Syria last year, the Azrak and Dayekh families have found safety and success in Powell River.
More than 50 people gathered at Willingdon Beach picnic area on Tuesday, July 11, to join them in celebrating an important milestone: their first year on Canadian soil.
“Everybody’s happy and we’re moving along with our lives,” said Rezq Dayekh. “I’m going to school, my father is working and my brother is working. We’re settling here, for now, and life is good.”
The gathering was something the families and their sponsor organizations had been wanting to hold for awhile, to thank those who played a part, large or small, in making their journeys possible.
“We have seen support and love and kindness from everybody in this community,” said Dayekh. “Powell River has been very good to us. Everybody who knew we were immigrants here helped us by doing anything they could do.”
Within the past year, the community’s refugee efforts have become interdenominational. Assistance that began with Westview Baptist and Evangel Pentecostal churches soon grew to include Assumption Parish, St. David and St. Paul Anglican Church and others.
“All of the different churches and non-church groups working together for the same cause, regardless of religion, that was so cool to see,” said City of Powell River mayor Dave Formosa. “It’s been very successful.”
In response, the city has put together its own committee to assist these groups in coordinating their efforts moving forward. Plans are already in motion to bring three more families into the community, including one on Texada Island.
“We’re at two families now,” said Formosa. “We’re hoping there may be half a dozen families.”
In 2016, the Canadian government’s refugee intake program settled 46,700 refugees, with 33,266 coming from Syria. United Nations Refugee Agency estimates 22.5 million people are registered as refugees worldwide, among 65.6 million who have been forcibly displaced from their homes.
“I am stunned at the strength and courage of these people leaving their home,” said Hands Across the Water refugee sponsorship group volunteer Steffi Ackroyd. “Leaving the land you love, I can’t even imagine, but look at them here. They’re safe, and that’s what they needed.”
Ackroyd said the way the Azrak and Dayekh families have handled their transition “with such grace” has been remarkable to see as well.
“I hope that’s the truth,” said Dayekh. “We are only two families, but I hope we make a good impression.”
As local organizations mobilize to assist the settlement of more refugees over the next several months, they will be looking to the community for assistance once again.
“The Azraks and Dayekhs have been amazing ambassadors for the refugee cause,” said Hands Across the Water chair Liz Brach. “That’s why I feel really confident that, when we go forth with this second sponsorship, the community will support us because their story has been such a good story of people who have really embraced our country.”
