A North Vancouver woman has helped a family from war-torn Syria settle into their new home in Canada.
Shula Klinger, a Lynn Valley resident, heard about the plight of the family from a mutual friend. The family came to Canada from Jaramana, Syria in October as immigrants under the federal government's skilled workers program, according to an email from the family. Klinger decided to help ease their transition to living here, and set about collecting money and household items for the family.
"They came here with very little and needed to get set up," said Klinger. "I guess it's just basic empathy really: How would you cope, how would you feel if you stepped off a plane with an 18-month old daughter and you had to find a job and a place to live, in a country you that had never been to, or at least never lived in."
Klinger took to her Facebook, posting that she was helping the family and asking any of her friends if they could help out.
"Before they arrived I already started trying to find stuff for them because I knew they wouldn't have an apartment or furniture or anything," said Klinger. "I just said, 'Hey, who wants to help this family now that they've got here and they've sort of landed on their feet? Who wants to help out bearing in mind they have really nothing in the way of household stuff, or very little?'
"And people just came forward and said they would be happy to send me money."
Within two days, Klinger had raised $100 in donations. She took the money to Real Canadian Superstore, who agreed to match her donations.
"I was just stunned," she said.
Klinger managed to collect furniture as well, including a table and chairs, from a friend who was downsizing. She said the family received the furniture a couple of weeks ago.
"They're thrilled, they're deeply grateful," said Klinger. "If you can help to ease the transition from the war zone to a peaceful home environment, I think it helps to do what we can because we're so lucky here, really."
Klinger said she received an email from the family saying the gesture had helped her family feel at home and thanking Klinger for her generosity.
Klinger was a new immigrant herself in 1997, when she arrived from England.
"I came here on my own, as a single person, but coming from a country of peace," she said. "They've come from a country that's at war."
Klinger said she wants to continue to do more on a greater scale for the people in Syria, especially the children.
Editor's note: This story has been modified since first posting.
