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Syrian Refugees In Kelowna

Kelowna man to jump into Okanagan Lake in support of refugees

KELOWNA - “What’s a little bit of icy water compared to some of the things they’ve been through,” Alan Monk says. On Saturday morning, Monk will join at least 80 other Canadians in the Polar Swim for Refugees, an ad hoc fundraiser that started in Victoria and has caught on with swimmers in other parts of...

Kelowna church prepares to welcome and support Syrian refugee family

KELOWNA - Four generations of a Syrian family will soon be enjoying the relative safety of life in Kelowna with the support of a local church congregation. Kelowna Gospel Fellowshop Pastor Mike Penninga says he’s not yet sure when the Tounousian family, originally from Allepo, will arrive in Canada but when they do, they can...

Kelowna dentists administer dose of compassion to local refugees

KELOWNA - A group of Kelowna dentists have come together to provide an essential service to a Syrian refugee family who moved to Kelowna this past summer.  The Central Okanagan Refugee Committee has helped bring several families to the Okanagan from Syria. Committee chair Marilyn Perry says although the churches that make up the committee...

Help Kelowna’s homeless before refugees? Here’s how

KELOWNA - Interest in helping the homeless appears to be reaching new highs since Canada announced it would attempt to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada before the end of the year. The move has created significant debate about Canada’s role in settling some of the millions of refugees escaping the Syrian civil war. It’s...

Local agencies preparing for Syrian refugees, awaiting government direction

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - It's unknown how many Syrian refugees will be arriving in the souther Interior, but in the meantime, officials with the Immigrant Service Society of B.C. are looking for housing to place those escaping the conflict in the Middle East. Director of settlment services Chris Friesen says the are awaiting to receive further direction...

Money spent on refugees a hot topic at upcoming Kelowna immigration symposium

KELOWNA – The effects of immigration on the Okanagan will be a topic of discussion at an upcoming two-day symposium at Okanagan College and UBC Okanagan this weekend. The Immigration Symposium is a series of in-depth discussions about the impacts various Canadian policies have on immigrants, refugees and temporary foreign workers. It takes place Friday...

Refugee family from Syria adapting to life in Kelowna

KELOWNA – Like most Canadians, Mohammed and his wife love their coffee. “We drink (coffee) every day,” he says. “When I wake, I wash my face and I take coffee.” Unlike most Canadians however, Mohammed Al-Shahoud, 53, doesn’t get his morning fix from Tim Hortons. His coffee, called kahvesi, is thick and unfiltered. The beans...

Okanagan church group spends $60k to bring family from Syria

KELOWNA – Three local churches who spent $60,000 to bring a family from to Kelowna from Syria this summer are raising funds to bring even more refugees from the civil war-torn country. For 30 years the Central Okanagan Refugee Committee have rescued families and individuals from countries afflicted with famine, wars and disease. Six months...