By Jessica Lepp

Syrian Refugee family arrives in Kamloops

Dec 31, 2015 | 3:53 PM

KAMLOOPS — Emotions were high as a large group awaited the arrival of a Syrian refugee family at the Kamloops Airport today.

Kamloops boy Rahman Tawhid was eagerly awaiting the family and says, “it’s kinda exciting to see cus it’s a family similar to ours they have three kids. It’s exciting to meet them and get to know them.”

WATCH ABOVE: Full story by Reporter Jessica Lepp

Children were singing, posters were plastered with kind words and flowers were abundant.

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Community volunteer Hasan Kettaneh says, “it’s very exciting, we’ve been working with other community members for a long time preparing for this day. For us this is part of Canadian culture.”

And shortly after three o’clock the plane carrying the family of five arrived in Kamloops.

When asked how he was feeling upon his arrival, using a translator, the father of the Syrian family said he and his family were feeling emotional, happy and very exhausted. 

The family had a 30 hour journey to Kamloops starting in Lebanon.

The father said they had to wait for 10 hours in Jordan where the slept on the floor.

Refugees And Friends Together — known as R.A.F.T. — sponsored the family six months ago and worked tirelessly since  to set up supports in the community.

Spokesperson Heide Coleman says, ” what ever they need, if they want to be alone, than we’ll leave them alone. If they want people around, then we will. And than we will start looking at registering the kids in school and they’ll have to go to Kamloops Immigrant Services and start their English lessons.