Tossing a lifeline to Syrian refugees

Grassroots charity is offering interest-free micro-loans to help revive stalled careers

Lifeline Syria has pledged $100,000 to help Syrian newcomers obtain the credentials they need to revive their stalled careers in Canada through interest-free loans.

The grassroots charity hopes to roll the money from the Lifeline Syria Fund into a $400,000 fund for Windmill Microlending’s refugee loan program through matched donations by private donors and foundations.

“For Syrian refugees who have successfully reached Canada, theirs is an ongoing journey. They are eager to rebuild their lives and restart their careers and give back to Canada,” said Mohammad Al Zaibak, president and CEO of Lifeline Syria.

The charity was established in 2015 to spearhead community Syrian refugee

SYRIA from GT1

sponsorships in Greater Toronto.

“Windmill’s model has been proven to help newcomers get back into their careers, increase their incomes and achieve economic integration. We challenge others to join us to support the Canadian Syrian community in this way.”

Windmill was launched in 2005 as the Immigrant Access Fund to provide low-interest loans for newcomers to get the credentials they need to return to their professions.

In 2016, it expanded its program for refugees.

To date, it has helped more than 4,000 newcomers, including 151 refugees, by offering $25 million in loans.

“Lifeline Syria has been instrumental to Canada’s efforts during the Syrian refugee crisis over the past few years, and this gift will help Syrian newcomers and refugees who are now ready to upgrade their credentials and restart the careers they have left behind,” said Windmill CEO Claudia Hepburn. Mohammad Waseem Zakour, a government-sponsored Syrian who came to Canada last September via Egypt, was doubtful how he could afford all the Canadian licensing exams and study materials to get back to his practice as a physician.

In December, a Canadian physician, a mentor, told him about Windmill’s no-interest loans for refugees.

In January, he was approved for a $10,000 loan and is now enrolled in a four-month skills upgrade program and registered for his first licensing exam in July.

“There is no way I would be able to afford any of these without the loan,” said Zakour. “The road ahead is hard but not impossible.”