By Chad Klassen

First Syrian refugee family settling nicely in Kamloops with new twins

Apr 13, 2017 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — When the Al Mohammad family arrived at Fulton Field in December 2015, the first Syrian refugee family in Kamloops, they were overwhelmed to be in Canada after fleeing their war-torn home.

They also faced a lot of uncertainty. 

But more than 16 months later, they’re settled into an apartment on the North Shore with a large Canadian flag hanging from their living room. 

“Canada is one of the best countries that provides them a home and medical services,” said translator Ali Alsaeed, speaking through mother Reem Al Mohammad. 

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Strengthening our wildfire training

15h ago

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: City caught flat-footed with sale of The Loop drop-in property

20h ago

The Tattle of Hastings

THE TATTLE OF HASTINGS: The Pearl of Schubert Drive

Apr 17, 2024

In the last seven weeks, their lives have transformed even more with twin daughters, born February 22, six weeks premature. 

“She’s very happy to have twins. But she said it’s not an easy job to take care of them. Sometimes they wake up at the same time and she needs to breast feed them at the same time. It’s not an easy job.”

The Al Mohammad’s now have five kids — 2-year-old Yamen who was born in Lebanon and the older children, 9-year-old Mustafa and 11-year-old Ineam, who were born and raised in Syria. 

Now, Deena and Maya, born at Royal Inland Hospital, are Canadian citizens. 

“She’s happy for them and she said it’s not about them having Canadian citizenship. But she’s happy to have them both in Canada, because Canada cares about kids and children, and she was happy when the public health nurse looked after them when they came home.”

While Khaled and Reem are living out a dream in Canada, they, like the rest of the world, are watching in horror as they watch Syria being bombed. They hope it’s resolved quickly.

Khaled is also longing to be reunited with family from Syria. He would love to have his mom join them in Canada. He hasn’t seen her in seven years.

“He’s very sad about his mom,” said Alsaeed, talking for Khaled. “He said she’s alone in Syria and she’s old. Her situation is zero, and by that he means that there’s nothing there. She’s alone, and his brother and his sister are not there to help her.”

In the meantime, they are loving life with the twins. Khaled continues to work on his English, and wants to find a job soon. But they are so appreciative of the community’s support, particularly the group Refugees and Friends Together that’s helped with everything they need.