PEC Syria

“Our dream has come true. It is a special day. Me and my family are now Canadian citizens 🇨🇦” Adnan
Special thanks to Rick Rehm, all our tutors, our family and friends.

Congratulations Adnan , Suhaila and family for achieving your citizenship. Today was their swearing in ceremony. We are happy for you and incredibly proud.

“Our dream has come true. It is a special day. Me and my family are now Canadian citizens 🇨🇦”. Adnan.
Special thanks to Rick Rehm ,all our tutors, our family and friends.

Another reminder. If you are a newcomer or recent immigrant and need a loan to help your business or education , this organization is there to help you.

Check Your Eligibility Today - Apply Now | Windmill Microlending Get back into your trained profession or upskill with a 6.7% low-interest windmill loan and career support services. Check Your Eligibility Today!

It is great food! And very reasonably priced.

Barry Davidson was an integral part of PECSyria from the beginning. He was a tireless and committed executive committee member, helping always in any way he could. He made a difference in the lives of so many and he will be very missed by us all. The celebration of his life is in Wellington on Friday at 12:30. At the arena.
If you can’t attend in person, you can attend online. Scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Barry Davidson Reception
Time: Apr 19, 2024 12:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82881749688

Meeting ID: 828 8174 9688
Passcode: Barry

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https://www.quintenews.com/2024/04/02/prince-edward-county-be-prepared-for-the-eclipse/

Prince Edward County : Be prepared for the eclipse The following is from Prince Edward County With the total solar eclipse less than a week away, the County of P...

Welcoming Abdelhakeem Restai and family to Kingston. They have just arrived. As soon as they have found an apartment, we want to help them with furniture and household items in April. If you have beds, bunk beds, sofas, table and chairs etc - they need everythin g - consider a donation. We will post again once there is a place but please message us if you think you can help. Thank you. We are also looking for an affordable rental in kingston.

With thanks to Lynne Donovan for sharing this.

Ramadan begins at sunset this evening. I share words by
Maren Tirabassi

Ramadan Mubarak, 2024
Ramadan Mubarak, my neighbors,
around the world
where sunset comes at different times.
May there be deep sanctity in the fasting,
followed by evenings' feast,
but may all of us in every place
pray for those who cannot choose
between fasting or feasting.
For what makes these holy
is being able to choose.
And so we pray for Gaza,
for those with death-dealing hunger,
those who grieve,
those who come to Ramadan,
holding Quran in their hands
to face fear and uncertainty
and seek community and kindness.
May there be holy memories,
gratitude for generosity
that stretches out heart and hand,
and the familiar rhythm of prayer.
And may those of us in different faiths,
and those with no faith,
pause at your sunset
letting the sanctity
of your time of holiness,
touch our lives with blessing
and the courage to speak.

988 is a new phone number that recently went live across Canada to help people get help in a mental health crisis. Similar to 911, this line is dedicated for anyone in need of mental health assistance of any kind. Its 988.
call 988

Would anyone like to be an online English tutor for a young couple? They are currently in Turkey, originally from Syria. They speak Turkish and Arabic. You may know his sister...she is the "Mama" of Papa Ghanoush and Mama Hummus, Suhaila El Hussein. We are sponsoring them and hope they will arrive in Canada this year, but it would be a great help for them to get a jump start on acquiring English skills. They have a computer to assist with online learning. Please direct message us if you would like to do this.

Congratulations to Ahmed Mustafa on getting recognition from Council and Mayor Steve Ferguson tonight. He is a real hero, and saved members of his family when their home burned last May. Ahmed gave special thanks to the firefighters and to the community for helping their family get back on their feet.

If anyone is struggling to find a Covid vaccine in Picton, the OneMed Pharmacy in the Foodland Plaza has plenty, and you can just walk in (no need to pre-book). OneMed is located between the Pizza Hut and Starbucks, and their service is very fast and friendly. They're open 9 to 6 pm weekdays, and on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.

Do you have any furniture or appliances you might like to donate? Abdel Rahim and family are moving to Rockland, near Ottawa, in February. They need all furniture and appliances. If you have any that you would like to donate, they will be assembling these in Picton, and then moving all at once in early February. They are looking for two double or queen beds, plus five single beds, sofas, carpets, appliances etc. If you have items you wish to donate, please contact Mohammad Al Jasem at [email protected]
613 661 3424 to coordinate pickup or delivery.

A big thank you to our community, and all the people who have helped to welcome former refugees into our homes, networks and hearts. Your gifts of time and financial support have made a big difference. We are accepting donations through the County Foundation. We have two funds - one for settling new families, and one for helping students attend post secondary schools or get training for employment. Young people who arrived here as refugees who are now studying engineering, medicine, dental hygiene, law clerk, and nursing. Your support makes a difference.
You will receive a tax receipt for the donation. To donate, click on this link, and under "Fund", choose PECSyria Settlement or education. Thanks again for all your help!

www.canadahelps.org The County Community Foundation is a public foundation created by and for the people of Prince Edward County. We work with private donors,...

This is a reminder that if your parents didn’t get a college or university degree, and if you are in college or university, you are eligible for this grant program. Please apply. It’s between $1000-3000 per student per year.
https://osap.gov.on.ca/OSAPPortal/en/A-ZListofAid/POCONT1_066879 #:~:text=It%20ranges%20from%20%241%2C000%20to,financial%20aid%20office%20for%20details.

Welcome to the Ontario Student Assistance Program:Ontario First Generation Bursary Welcome to the Ontario Student Assistance Program:Ontario First Generation Bursary

Is there anyone out there that can volunteer tutor someone immediately and for the next six weeks in grade 11 trigonometry? Online only. Very bright and talented student in many subjects and who needs to nail this subject to achieve future med school goals. Anyone?

This is a reminder to all students going to college or university. If your parents never went to college or university, you could be eligible for the Ontario First Generation Bursary. It ranges from $1,000 to $3,500 per student. This is different from OSAP. How to apply? Deadline for the next semester is next week. Visit

Welcome to the Ontario Student Assistance Program:Ontario First Generation Bursary Welcome to the Ontario Student Assistance Program:Ontario First Generation Bursary

We might be welcoming another Syrian family here soon. Two teachers, English fluent, with three kids ages 5-10. Wondering if anyone has a furnished apartment that they might be willing to donate or for modest sum for a few winter months in Picton? Just till they can find a longer term rental? Please email [email protected]

LETTER: Displaced Syrian family says thank you https://pictongazette.ca/2023/11/29/letter-displaced-syrian-family-says-thank-you/

Great and affordable good eats at Nasr and Nabiha’s restaurant. Eat in or takeaway. 9am-8 pm. Rossmore plaza. On the north end of the middle building. Best falafel for miles. Excellent chicken shawarma too.

This community sponsored Nasr and Nabiha and their six kids when they arrived here in 2016. They have been regulars at the markets and at Zwicks Park. Now they are realizing their dream of opening their restaurant Tuesday November 28 at 2:00 in the Rossmore Plaza. You are invited to stop by. They are open 9:00-8:00, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. With special takeaway dinners for you and your family. Let’s support this newest local restaurant and spread the word! https://maps.app.goo.gl/3WXMMuVzCNoPTxnr9?g_st=ic

Giving Tuesday is coming up. Please consider a donation to one of these funds at the County foundation. You can get a tax receipt and make a real difference in the lives of people who are seeking refuge. PECSyria is still sponsoring families in danger. PECSyria education fund is supporting post-secondary education for former refugees who are now studying. Our students are in engineering, health care (nursing, dentistry, optometry, medicin ) and construction. And the Big hearts fund is supporting refugees from countries other than Syria.

Home - The County Foundation - The County Foundation

We are looking for a special volunteer: an experienced grant writer with the skills to evaluate opportunities and prepare a few applications to obtain funding for future sponsorships for refugees and bursaries for former refugees attending post secondary institutions. Does this sound like you? Please email [email protected] if interested.

A hearty congratulations to Lina and her brother Muhammad on achieving their Canadian citizenship.

Today was Lina’s swearing in ceremony.

Lina and Muhammad arrived in Canada in 2020 and settled in our area after finding work. They quickly made friends have been supported by a few of our PEC Syria volunteers. Sandy and Sergio attended the ceremony and then afterwards enjoyed a celebratory lunch.

Congratulations Kawthar Moustafa! A big day.

Slieman has lots of fresh pickerel. He will be at 29 Pitt Street in Picton July 15 Saturday 10-3 or until he runs out. Great time for fish fry!

Thank you everyone for your support of Adnan and Suhaila. They are now in a temporary home, and moving into a permanent home in Wellington at the end of July. The community has been incredibly generous.

A group of friends met with Adnan and Suhaila tonight. We are sorting through next steps to help them get what they need. Thank you for all your kind messages about donations. We will post the list of what they need soon, once we figure out where “home” will be. In the meantime, Adnan Mustafa asked us to thank everyone so much for their kindness and generosity in this difficult time.
It was good to see them smile.

With all the kerfuffle about the fire, its easy to forget that other things are going on! A big congratulations to Sawsen Mustafa and Abdel Malek Al Jasem on getting their citizenship today! It is a challenging test but now they have one of the best passports in the world. Well done!