WINNIPEG — A federal government grant provided through the Immigration Refugee Citizenship in Canada (IRCC) has given 22 Syrian refugees currently living in Winnipeg the chance to spend a week at the University of Manitoba.
Adults will spend the day learning English language skills through the extended education program, while children (ages 4-16) will be exploring their adventurous sides at Mini-U.
“We picked up all the families and children on a bus, drove them to campus and will be driving them back at the end of the day,” said Jay Gamey, director of programming for Mini-U.
“During the day, the children will partake in our Minu-U programs, things like dodgeball, basketball, soccer and science, while the adults take different types of programming through extended education.”
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Lasting from July 11 until July 22, both programs offer the refugees a chance to begin integration within the community, which is particularly critical for the children.
“This is really in preparation for the upcoming school year, where these children will start participating in regular classrooms and so this gives them an excellent opportunity to already start interacting with other kids in their age group,” said Stephanie Olson, director of continuing and professional studies in the department of extended education.
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According to Olson, those partaking in the activities at the U of M were grateful for the opportunity.
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