HALIFAX – Refugee groups and private sponsors are preparing for the arrival of Syrian refugees in Halifax by recruiting interpreters and familiarizing themselves with cultural practices.
Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS) has been tasked with helping the families resettle in Halifax and one of their first considerations is the anticipated language barrier.
READ MORE: Syrian refugees start arriving Dec. 10: government website
ISANS has been working with the province’s associations representing interpreters and currently has a list of 25 trained and accredited Arabic-speaking interpreters.
“We will be dealing with fears, apprehension, anxieties,” said the organization’s Interpretation and Translation Services Coordinator, Merek Jagielski.
“Communication is an essential component of any human interaction, so having interpreters who are competent, professional and who understand their role will be a definite asset in easing up the resettlement process.”
The interpreters will help deliver official services, but ISANS is also organizing a team of volunteers. Arabic-speaking Nova Scotians can welcome the families and help them get used to day-to-day life.
Basim Sobeih, who helped form United for One, is eager to offer his assistance. The group has raised more than $200,000 and hopes to sponsor at least six families.
Sobeih plans to offer Arabic translation and help the refugee families adjust to life in Canada.
“Culture shock is obviously a huge thing for them,” he said.
“We need people to stick with them and show them around …and make them feel like they’re home, which is a huge factor.”
His group, as well as several other churches and organizations in the city that are taking part in private sponsorship, have partnered with the Ummah Mosque.
READ MORE: Syrian refugees coming to N.S. expected to have health issues
The Imam, Abdelkader Tayebi, says the mosque is happy to answer questions about culture and religion from sponsors as they prepare to welcome their families.
“There’s the language, number one. Also customs, maybe some religious cultural issues to be aware of when the family comes,” said Tayebi.
“So that they feel welcomed and they feel respected and that they integrate faster.”
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