The Marhaba Committee

THE MARHABA COMMITTEE  (Marhaba = “Welcome” in Arabic)

To date, the Syrian conflict has left an estimated 400,000 dead and millions displaced inside and outside of the country. In Turkey alone, there are as many as 400,000 Syrian children not going to school. The situation is grave. The good news is that the federal government has stepped up and brought in 25,000 Syrians to Canada, many of whom are being supported by private sponsors.

The Marhaba Committee is a group of Torontonians who want to do the right thing, assisting a Syrian family to make Toronto their new home. Our group is made up of ESL educators, artists, lawyers, as well as nurses, IT specialists, social workers, and scientists.

For one year, we were responsible for providing financial and on-the-ground support. This included orienting the family to all facets of life in Toronto, coordinating schooling, healthcare, finding employment, and assisting with any emergencies that may arise.

Through the Ryerson University Lifeline Syria Challenge (RULSC), our group sponsored a family of FIVE, as well as an adult sibling.  As of October 2019, we are happy to report that the adult siblings have reunited in Toronto, and two of the younger kids have already completed several years of school in their adopted country. By all accounts, the family is settling into their new life exceptionally well.