Syrian refugee family in P.E.I. appeals for support to bring others here

A Syrian refugeecouple that arrived in P.E.I. last year with their four childrensay being in Canadais like living in another worldand they would like the process made easier for other refugees to enter the country.

"I like Canada because [it]respectsme and my family," said Safaa Farzat, who, along with her husband Khaled Alzoubi, theirson and three girls, have made a life for themselves on the Island.

We appeal to everyone to keep the right of Syrian people from the war, from the difficulties, from the killing.- Khaled Alzoubi

"I'm happy because now I can see a smile on my children'sface[s] because they live safe and now they are peaceful," said Alzoubi.

They say it's hard knowing that friends and family, who are still in Syria or are now refugees in Lebanon and Jordan, are in danger.

Theyand some community groups on the Islandwant the province to pressure the federal government to step up to bring more Syrian refugees to Canada.

They would like to see the process, which can take up to four years, to be simpler, faster and more effective. And they want Ottawa to offer more financial support.

'Huge increase' in Islanders wanting to help

"We have the same hearts, the same emotion, the same everything. We are all human beings. There is no difference between us," said Alzoubi.

"We appeal to everyone to keep the right of Syrian people from the war, from the difficulties, from the killing."

Syrian refugees looking to make Canada their new homehave to get through medical screenings, criminal record checks and interviews.

The P.E.I. Association for Newcomers to Canada doesn't bring refugees to Canada, but it helps them to settle on the Island.

Melissa Coffin, a resettlement assistance program worker, says since the photo of the drowned toddler Alan Kurdi on the beach in Turkey made the news last week, the association has been getting a lot of calls from Islanders wanting to help Syrians.

"There's been a huge increase. It's very heartwarming to see," said Coffin.

"Islanders want to help. They are looking at getting groups together to sponsor. They are saying, 'I can't be a part of it but what else can I do?'"

Coffin says Islanders who want to help should research the Syrian refugee crisis and find out what others in their community are doing to help.

"If they have money they are able to donate, they can donate it to those sponsor groups because they are trying to raise money to bring families here."

Meanwhile,Alzoubi and Farzat hope to someday bring other family members to Canada.