ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Winnipeg, MB
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Syria
FAMILY SIZE: Nine

A Syrian man, aged 42, accompanied by his spouse and their seven children, has completed six years of education and has worked as a plumber and pipe fitter. He is fluent in Arabic and has some English language training.

His spouse is a homemaker. The family has received settlement support. Six of the couple’s children are registered for school, and one is fully dependent on his parents.

Medical needs: The father has withdrawn from English language training due to the ongoing medical needs of their youngest child. This has prevented the family from engaging in other settlement services and accessing various community resources.

Sponsor assistance: A sponsor could: give the family a support system to help with their daily challenges; allow them to dedicate the time necessary to develop their English language skills; help them to fully connect and integrate within their local community; provide informal English practice; and, assist with managing the child’s ongoing medical appointments.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Hamilton, ON
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Somalia
FAMILY SIZE: One

A Somali woman, aged 26, who arrived in Canada in late 2018, is hospitalized due to a disability.

Medical needs: She suffers from an untreatable muscle disorder which will worsen over time. She is paralyzed, unable to move her arms and is slowly losing the use of her hands. She cannot go anywhere by herself. The hospital does not offer English training.

Sponsor assistance: A sponsor could: reduce her feelings of isolation and loneliness through social, psychological, and emotional support; introduce her to the community to allow her to expand her social connections and build positive relationships with new people; and, informally help her practice English.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Calgary, AB
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Syria
FAMILY SIZE: 4

This single mother from Syria and her three children arrived in Calgary in late 2018. The children have adapted well to school and are learning English.

Special needs: The mother struggles with prior trauma, and has difficulty in caring for her children while adjusting to life in Canada.

Medical needs: Each of the children have asthma, requiring frequent medical appointments. The youngest daughter suffers from a blood disorder, which requires additional medical support. The mother suffers from back pain, which makes it difficult for her to attend resettlement programs and language classes. She feels isolated and lonely, and has difficulty sleeping.

Sponsor assistance: With the support of a sponsor, the mother could focus on her own integration by attending language classes, counselling sessions for past trauma and employment programs. A sponsor could help her understand and navigate the health care system.