Now that Syrian refugees fleeing their war torn homeland are settling into life in Niagara, they face a great deal of hard work to build a new future for themselves.

Several times during her remarks, the event’s emcee Rose Karborani — the Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Centre settlement coordinator — stressed the importance for refugees to work hard to learn to speak, read and write English.

Karborani, Jerusalem born to Syrian parents, said the refugees want to work, but for many the language barrier holds them back.

“The Syrian people have a real passion inside them to work hard and contribute. They are here now and they want to be part of the community,” she said. “This is why you heard me stressing they have to continue to progress and learn English because they need to work and we cannot have them on Ontario Works forever.” More.

See: St. Catharines Standard

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