A Syrian family here in Ottawa is quickly adjusting to a new language and a new life in this city.  Nabil Al Dabei, his wife and four children arrived just four months ago, thanks to a catholic church that sponsored them. They are so grateful to be here, to be safe but there is a steep learning curve, with everything different and everything new. One thing they have not had to worry about yet is snow!

On an unusually beautiful December day, the Al Dabei family is doing what most Canadian families would, playing in the park.  After fleeing Syria, and living in Lebanon a little bad weather wouldn't worry them anyway.

Manal Al Khoure is Nabil’s wife, “The snow is not a big deal, comparing to the bombs,” she says, explaining why the family left their country of Syria.  They arrived in Ottawa in August with a 15-year-old son, 10-year-old Julie, 6-year-old Saly and 4-year-old Karim. Nabil Dabei did auto body work in Syria and hopes to land a job here.

‘The life here is good,” he says through an interpreter, a teacher actually at the children’s school, Our Lady of Fatima, who speaks Arabic, “The church welcomed us and I want to say thank you to them.”

The family was sponsored by the Refugee Committee at St. Basil's Parish.  The experience has enriched both sides.

“I find I’ve smiled more since I’ve been involved with the family than I have in months,” says Marianne McLean with the committee, “It’s a gift.”

Manal joins her sister Rimal Al Khoure here in Ottawa.  She and her family have been in Canada for 2 years, sponsored by another church, St. Augustine's.  Her husband has landed a full time job as a baker and she is pregnant with her second child.

“Maybe five months,” she says with obvious happiness, pleased that her baby will be born in Canada.

Her 6-year -old son Paul didn't know a word of English when he came here.  Now he teaches his mom.

“I tell her something in Arabic,” he says, “and she guesses the word in English.”

And Paul offers this advice to the hundreds of other Syrians who will be new to this country, just as he was.

“This is not scary,” he says definitively.

Language will be one of the biggest barriers. 10-year-old Julie is struggling with English but surrounded by school chums willing to help, one of whom even speaks Arabic. 

“She can’t understand in English,” explains Grade 4 student Marwah, “the teachers come and get me to help.”

Emily, a Grade 5 student, explains how she and Julie became friends, “When new people came, I like to help and show them around.  That’s how we met.”

As for little Paul, he's loving school and looking forward to the full experience here including winter!

“You can make snowballs and throw them,” he says with enthusiasm.

Spoken like a true Canadian, eh?