Sask. Syrian refugee sits down to reflect one year in Canada

It’s been one year since the first 163 Syrian refugees touched down at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport on Dec. 10, 2016.

“Saskatoon has gorgeous people that are really gorgeous hosts,” said Raed Jamous, one of the 468 Syrian refugees in Saskatoon.

The last week has been an eye-opening experience for Jamous with temperatures dropping as low as -25 C.

“It’s unbelievable weather that I’m not used to, but I bought a winter coat and toque,” he said. 

The coldest it gets in parts of Syria is 0 C.

“Canadians are usually in shorts in those temperatures,” joked Jamous.

Jamous works as an educational assistant with Saskatoons Public Schools, teaching other Syrian refugees english.

“I’d actually like to work as a teacher as soon as I get my credentials sorted out from my old country (Syria),” he said.

He has a family of seven, four boys, and one girl.

“My kids have got involved in martial arts and they even want to try hockey,” he said.

“They’re learning really fast and really like Canada.”

Jamous said he’s fell in love with Canada and he’ll never be leaving.

“My dream came true,” he said. “Since I started University I told my friends I would come live in Canada. I’m now being very loyal to this country”