Refugees arriving in Regina have big dreams, businesses stepping up with jobs

REGINA – Close to 100 Syrian refugees arrived in Regina Friday on three separate flights.

It’s the largest group of refugees to arrive in Regina since the resettlement process began. Part of the process means making a new life in the Queen City but after a long and tireless journey, one thing on many of their minds was sleep.

But that wasn’t the case for excited 16 year-old Abrahem.

“He thanks the government of Canada,” a translator said as Abrahem shook Mayor Fougere’s hand.

Already taking in his new home and clearly dressed for the weather, it seems Canada is growing on him.

“I thought about it as it is right now and it’s way much better even.” added Abrahem, with the help of his trasnlator.

Still, for Abrahem and other refugees, the weeks ahead will be hectic.

“The next day there’s already lot’s going on in terms of forms that need to be filled out and just all sorts of information they need to learn and orientations,” said Darcy Dietrich, the executive director of the Regina Open Door Society (RODS).

Dietrich says the 65 refugees that have already arrived in Regina in the past few weeks since the resettlement began seem to be adapting well.

“Normally families would spend at least one to two weeks in temporary accommodations before moving in to permanent. But because we did the work upfront… eleven of the twelve families already here have moved in to permanent accommodations already,” explained Dietrich.

Many of them have big dreams and according to the John Hopkins the CEO with the Regina Chamber of Commerce, help from local businesses will be crucial.

“If we’re going to be successful at this then people are going to need jobs,” said Hopkins.

He added that local businesses are stepping up.

“So far we got about 70 different opportunities for people, we’ll have to wait and see and do the assessments and see where people are at.”

That’s good news for Abrahem who will no doubt have challenges like learning English. But by the looks of it, that won’t be stopping him.

Now in his new home, that dream is more achievable than ever.