'I realize that I can't step off a plane directly into my dream job,' says 23-year-old writer Youssef Al-Khoudor.
Facing the ravages of an ongoing civil war that’s left four of his brothers dead and caused the estrangement of his wife from he and his two daughters, Syrian refugee Youssef Al-Khoudor is hoping to become one of Canada’s newest citizens thanks in part to the assistance of an Abbotsford church.
One of the biggest risks he faces is retaliation by Syria’s army, after his two older brothers Sobhi and Gazhi defected, only to be killed in combat in 2014. Rev. Thomas Kim, the head minister at Calvin Presbyterian Church, told Glacier Media the struggle of Al-Khoudor and his daughters, six-year-old Rouaa and three-year-old Diala, were brought to him by lead refugee sponsor and organizer Noel Paul, whose father is the church’s interim moderator Bob Paul.
So far, the church has raised just over $22,000 but they need to get to $42,000 to adequately sponsor the family. Now, they’re seeking broader support via GoFundMe. As the war accelerated through the mid-2010s, life took an unexpected turn when Al-Khoudor fathered his first child with his wife, at age 17. In love, the pair had another daughter in 2019, albeit under more pressing circumstances, including multiple smuggling trips across the Syrian-Lebanese border in the preceding years.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Canada repatriating 6 women and their children currently detained in Syria: sourcesGlobal Affairs has agreed to repatriate six Canadian women and 13 children currently detained in prison camps in northeast Syria, according to Lawrence Greenspon, the lawyer representing them in a federal court case.
Read more »
Canada to repatriate 6 women, 13 children detained in Syria: sourcesGlobal Affairs has agreed to repatriate six Canadian women and 13 children currently detained in prison camps in northeast Syria, according to Lawrence Greenspon, the lawyer representing them in a federal court case.
Read more »
Canada has agreed to repatriate 19 women and children held in Syria, lawyer says | CBC NewsThe federal government is moving forward on repatriating 19 Canadian women and children held in northeastern Syria, says their lawyer.
Read more »
St. John's-based musician Nico Paulo releasing second single from debut album | SaltWireST. JOHN'S, N.L. — Portuguese-Canadian artist Nico Paulo is releasing her second single off her debut self-titled album, which releases on April 7. The new ...
Read more »
OMA president supports Ford's clinic plan, but must keep single-payerDr. Zacharias said Ford's plan checks some of the key boxes for the OMA, but would now like to see the creation of a committee compromised of government and external stakeholders to see the plan implemented.
Read more »