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Syrian family of five settles into new life in Oakville by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 11 | Thursday, November 24, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com A Syrian man, whose family has settled in Oakville after escaping bombs and chaos in Damascus, says he is deeply grateful to the private sponsors whose work will allow his children to grow up in safety. Abdelkader Shikh Alsrojeh, his wife Rawan and their three children Mazen, 8, Zaid, 5, and Julia, who will be one year old in a few days, spoke with the Oakville Beaver as they gathered around the breakfast table in their new Marlborough Court apartment. They have only called the two-bedroom unit home since Nov. 12 and Canada home since Oct. 31 when they arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport. So far, Abdelkader says the family's experience in Canada has been a positive one. "I like this country very much. The people I've met have been very friendly, very hospitable. The weather so far is very good. I don't know what will be happening in the next month, but so far it is very fine," he said. "I heard a lot about Canadians, that they are very nice people and that is exactly what I have been seeing. Whenever I meet someone they have been smiling and they shake my hand and say, `Welcome, this is your country now.' It gives me a very good feeling." This family's journey to a new country was Abdelkader Shikh Alsrojeh and his wife Rawan and three children Mazen, 8, Zaid, 5, and Julia , 11 months are a Syrian refugee family that has recently settled in Oakville thanks to private sponsors. From left, Julia, Rawan, Zaid, Abdelkader Shikh Alsrojeh and Mazen. | Graham Paine/Metroland many years in the making and, like for so many other families, started in 2011 with the beginning of the Syrian Civil War. Prior to that, Abdelkader had made a good living as a salesperson for a textiles company -- often travelling throughout Europe, and even China, on business. He said the first thing to hit his family was the economic impact of the war. With the collapse of the Syrian economy, Abdelkader's company made massive layoffs and while he was not let go, the business was soon dealt another blow when the Syrian army occupied its headquarters to counter rebel activity in the area. It ultimately got to the point where the company could no longer pay Abdelkader a salary. On top of that, Damascus soon began experiencing electricity and clean water shortages and food prices started to skyrocket. Medicine also became difficult to find. "Life became more and more difficult," said Abdelkader. Eventually, the war reached the family's neighbourhood with missiles raining down on the area. Abdelkader said the sounds of the explosions terrified his sons Mazen and Zaid. Today, one would never know the pair went through such a horrible experience as they happily kick a soccer ball around their Oakville living room. The conflict also meant the youths could not go to school. While Abdelkader said he didn't want to leave Damascus, he noted it was simply getting to the point where it was too dangerous to stay. Initially, he tried to move the family to the Egyptian capital of Cairo. His company had offices there, but while Egypt was willing to offer him a visa the same courtesy was not extended to his family. "It was because we were Syrian," said Abdelkader. see Making on p.18 The future is in your hands. Don't let it go to waste. Text from: Out of use electronics are composed of reusable materials, like glass and plastic and precious metals which can be recycled and put back into manufacturing. The Earth is reaching out for your help. TOMORROW Will you answer the call? For more info visit RecycleYourElectronics.ca Queen's Park - Toronto, Ontario Ontario Electronic Stewardship