They’ve arrived
Nearly three years after fleeing their home in Qaraqosh, Iraq, the Barbar family touched down in Montreal on Monday morning, welcomed by their hosts from Lennoxville’s Hope Community Church. According to Church member Jackie Lougheed, who was part of the welcoming committee, refugees Raed, Julliet, and their two daughters Nadeen and Nardeen were greeted not just by their new church community but also by family members they had been separated from years ago.
“They’ve only had skype for the last two and a half years,” Lougheed said, explaining that the family made the trip from Ottawa for the occasion and continued on to Lennoxville to see their relatives’ new home before returning the same day.
The HCC welcoming committee was up at 4 a.m. to make the journey in to the airport, although they didn't end up seeing the family until nearly 9:15.
Lougheed explained that as the family gets settled into their new apartment, the Hope community will rely on Moroccan student Fatima Batassa to help translate from English to Arabic for the benefit of the new arrivals.