Summer camp for Syrian refugee children brings mothers together

It iseverythingyou'd expect at a summer camp for kids, but the experience might be even more essential for moms.

Syrian children play, sing songs and make craftsat First Avenue Public School in Ottawa's Glebe neighbourhood enjoyingthe care-free experience of a Canadian summerwhiletheir mothers learna new language and a new way of life.

The strategy aims to involve more Syrian mothers in English-as-a-second-language (ESL)classes and the wider Ottawa community.

Organizers with the Glebe Neighbourhood Activities Groupcame up with the solution to offera day campfor children as thewomen take language training down the hall.

"We were approached by the Ottawa Centre Refugee Action, agroup that helpssponsorrefugees to Canada, about offering ESL programs particularly for women," said Mary Tsai of the Glebe group.

"Moms were staying home to take care of their kids ...so we came up with an idea, why not just fill the void completely and offer a camp for the entire family, that the family can be together."

While the children are in the auditorium, their mothers and some fathers are in a classroom, learning to communicate in English.

The parents also meetother refugees who are sharing the same challenges and stressesoffleeing their war-torn countryandsettling in to a new home.

"It's a little bit of a kick-start into Canadian culture," said Tsai, "building relationships, and seeing how wonderful our country is in being so supportive, so welcoming, making them more comfortable in Canada."