Aylmer welcomes Kassar family from Syria

The Kassar family arrived in Aylmer, May 3. This Syrian refugee family is sponsored by the Saint-Paul and Saint-Médard parishes. They are from a refugee camp in Lebanon.

The plane carrying the family of four landed in Montreal in the late afternoon. Members of the Groupe de parrainage de réfugiés (GPR) met the family at the airport and drove them to Gatineau. The parents and their two children are now settling in at an apartment in the heart of Aylmer.

“On our end, we were ready,” reported Raymond Sabourin of the GPR.

On February 20, GPR volunteers cleaned the apartment, painted the walls and made a few repairs. The volunteers then prepared the place so that it would be ready for the new family.

The GPR’s work continues;  members will help the family register for French classes and school, and to obtain medical cards, permanent resident cards, etc.

The arrival of the family marks an important step for the GPR, which has been working on the Kassar family file for months.

Last November 6,  the two parishes’ representatives, along with Pontiac MNA André Fortin and Lucerne Councillor Mike Duggan, unveiled their sponsorship project.  

Now that much of the work is done for the Kassar family, the GPR intends to sponsor a second family. Mr. Sabourin says that many volunteers are still willing to contribute, and that the GPR has enough funds to sponsor a new family.

“We must start it now, because the process can take nine to 12 months,” indicated Mr. Sabourin.