Refugee living in Canada writes welcome letter to Syrian newcomers
Mohammed Leyl grew up in Kenyan refugee camp before coming to Regina
A Somali man who first settled in Regina as a refugee has written a welcome letter to the new refugees arriving in the Prairies.
Mohammed Leyl, who grew up in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, was sponsored by World University Service of Canada and attended the University of Regina after settling in Saskatchewan.
He now lives in Edmonton.
Below is the welcome letter Leyl wrote in English which also been translated to Arabic script. Use the tool to scroll between the two versions.
Syrian refugees arrive in Canada
The Canadian government has pledged to bring in 25,000 refugees by the end of February.
There were 163 Syrians who arrived in Toronto this December in the first government aircraft carrying refugees.
They were greeted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
In Vancouver, it was a tearful reunion for former Syrian MP Mamon Alhomsi and his two sons.
He had been waiting five years for his sons to join him in Canada and the family was finally reunited on Dec. 10.
Refugees arrive in Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan's first group of government's sponsored refugees arrived in Saskatoon on Dec. 19 to applause and songs from strangers awaiting their arrival.
There were 14 refugees who stepped into John G. Diefenbaker International Airport to the crowd of supporters.
Al-Bardan, his wife Safaa Khamees, and their son Rida received a warm welcome at the Regina International Airport last Monday.
They spent the past three years living in a refugee camp in Jordan.
For eight-month-old Rida, this is his first time living outside of a refugee camp.
