Gary Warrick received a request for assistance in finding a sponsor for a Syrian archaeologist and his family to relocate to Canada. We are posting the letter here for those CAA members who may belong to other organizations that have the funds and support for sponsoring Syrian refugees.
Dear Mr. Warrick,
I am a UK citizen of Japanese decent (born in Canada) who supports a small organisation called Team Bananas that helps refugees in northern Greece, most of whom are from Syria. I have volunteered in Greece with the organisation and I currently manage their Facebook page, which can be found here: www.facebook.com/TBananita/
The organisation began by distributing bananas to undernourished children in Idomeni, on the border of Greece and Macedonia. Team Bananas gained the trust of refugees and today are one of few organisations that have access to helping over 9 camps.
It was in one of these camps that I met Yasser, his wife Rula and their two young children. Because he spoke English, Yasser was one of the people helping us to distribute supplies. We asked each other where we were from and when I said "Japan," he replied: "I love Japan. I've been there on a business trip". I asked him what his job was and learned he is an archaeologist. At that moment, it deeply struck me how his life had once been like that of any other educated professional in Europe with a career, home, car, routine and circle of friends. Like many of the Syrian refugees I met, I was extremely moved by his gentle, respectful and resilient nature and how well-behaved and attentive his children were.
Yasser and his family are from Daraa, which as you may know is where unrest and violence in Syria first erupted and the city was the first to suffer heavy attacks. Although he escaped the terror of war and navigated a perilous journey to Greece, in the process Yasser lost his home, job and the stable life he and his family had once enjoyed. 3 weeks ago, he and his family were relocated to a remote area in Romania, but the area has no work opportunities for him and many local people are not so welcoming.
Therefore, I am writing to ask if you can help identify someone in your organisation would be interested in sponsoring Yasser and his family to relocate to Canada and to help him work in any position related to archaeology--even if he is overqualified for it. Please find attached his CV, degree certificate and certificate of trainings and projects in different countries around the world. I have no doubt that not only would Yasser be a great asset in a professional and educational setting, he and his family would be gems to a Canadian community.
If you would like additional information about Yasser, please do contact me. Thank you for your attention to this email.
Sincerely,
Ms. Mémé Watanabe
Team Bananas
http://lifelinesyria.ca/
http://www.refugeeswelcome.ca/
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/
http://ccrweb.ca/en/private-