By Vanessa Ybarra

Syrian refugee happy to find work in Kamloops following a year of struggles

Jun 1, 2017 | 5:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — According to the Government of Canada, more than 40,000 Syrian refugees have come to Canada since 2015.

Kamal Alborm is one of 40 Syrian refugees who now call Kamloops home.

Alborm arrived in Kamloops in 2016 and a year and half later he has now settled in nicely with a full time job, with four of his six children also studying and learning English here.

However getting to this point in the game hasn’t been easy.

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Getting to spend all day surrounded by lush flowers and plants is a true breath of fresh air for Kamal Alborm. 

“I know most of the words of the names of flowers in English which I didn’t know before, like lilies and tulips,” said Alborm.

“He’s definitely eager and ready to work,”said Deanne Schuetze, Produce Manager for Independent Grocer. “He’s gung-ho.”

This is Alborm’s second month working at the Independent Grocer on the North Shore.

In 2013 he and his family fled war-torn Syria.

“It was difficult,” said Alborm. “It made us cry.”

His wife and four of his six children lived in Egypt for three years before settling in Kamloops in 2016. 

“I like Kamloops. It’s a beautiful town and the people are very friendly. I love it.”

Alborm is one of more than half a million Syrians who have fled Syria since 2011, with approximately 40 refugees now calling Kamloops home.

While Canadian friendliness made settling down easier, getting a job was a different story for the 59-year-old former businessman.

“They contacted many companies to help me find a job, some of them were for construction but it was too hard for me and my age,” said Alborm. 

Work BC Job Developer Fatima Choudhry finally helped Alborm land his garden gig.

“Kamal had previously worked in various different industries and worked in different countries as well so he was exposed to English more than other clients,” sad Choudhry. “Independent Grocer has been absolutely fantastic to work with, They’re very inclusive.” 

“I’ve worked with people from Germany, the Philippines and Iran,” said Schuetze. “I find foreign workers are very reliable. They’re hard workers and they’re just consistent.”

Regardless of his now steady paycheque and life, the grandfather says half of his heart will always remain in Syria.

“My brothers and sisters, neighbours and friends are still there,” said Alborm. “I wish them all the best. I wish peace for them and for them to be safe.”