(December 17, 2015) –
Today World Vision Canada teamed up with Staples Advantage Canada (the B2B division of Staples) to welcome new Syrian families arriving in Canada and help their children get off to a strong start in school. This afternoon, enthusiastic staff from both organizations filled 500 backpacks with school supplies such as notebooks, pencils, pencil crayons, erasers and rulers – all donated by Staples Advantage Canada. These “school kits” will be distributed to refugee children arriving in Canada over the coming months.
This initiative is a key component in World Vision’s support for Syrian refugees arriving in Canada. Through a network of community partner organizations across Canada, World Vision is also assisting newcomers with basic necessities such as furniture, blankets, warm clothing, food vouchers, and housing assistance.
Quotes
“As a Canadian and as a parent, I'm so thankful for this donation from Staples Advantage which will help make the future brighter for Syrian refugee children, many of whom have not seen a classroom for some time. Children everywhere cherish their school supplies, and these fantastic backpacks will help ensure these new students get off to a strong start in school,” said Michael Messenger, president, World Vision Canada.
“We are very pleased to partner with World Vision in this important initiative to help Syrian refugee children,” said Michael Zahra, president, Staples Advantage Canada. “Our hope is that these backpacks and supplies bring smiles to these children as they start their first day of school in Canada.”
ADDITIONAL INFO
World Vision has been a champion for Syrian refugee children since the humanitarian crisis began in 2011. In Lebanon, Jordan and the Kurdish Region of Iraq, the agency is running education programs for school-age children so they are able to continue their education in the hope they can re-join the formal education system in the future.
This school backpack initiative is an important component in World Vision’s support for refugees arriving in Canada. Through a network of community partner organizations across Canada, World Vision is also assisting new refugee families with basic necessities such as furniture, blankets, warm clothing, food vouchers, and housing assistance.
HOW CANADIANS CAN HELP
- Watch and share this video of Canadian children welcoming Syrian children
- Use the Twitter #CanadiansWelcome to share ideas on how to help newcomers. World Vision will share your friendly messages and videos with resettlement organizations.
- Contact local sponsorship committees or refugee resettlement organizations to offer your time and friendship. There’s a need for transportation, translators, language tutors, counsellors and other professionals to help families adapt to life in Canada.