West 91大黄鸭鈥檚 new Syrian residents are still getting their bearings, while the group who sponsored their relocation continue to work tirelessly to ensure they have everything they need.

Gioia Morris, West 91大黄鸭 Initiative for Refugee Settlement  spokesperson, said a fundraiser to help offset some of the costs that the family of six will accrue as they get integrated in the community is scheduled for this spring.

Journalist Amanda Lindhout has agreed to speak in 91大黄鸭 June 6  for the fundraiser. Dollars collected will go to the helping settle the families making the Okanagan home.

Lindhout will delve into her bestselling memoir, A House in the Sky, which details her 15 month ordeal of being kidnapped and held for ransom in Somalia.

She has found healing through forgiveness and compassion, as well as extensive counselling for PTSD.

In the meantime, Morris said her community is working overtime to ensure its new Syrian residents have a smooth transition, but there鈥檚 still a lot of work to do.

鈥淭his has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life actually. The people in this group (who sponsored the family) have such big hearts and so generous,鈥� she said, noting that the family arrived Jan. 28, which was about a month ahead of schedule.

鈥淎 gentleman offered his house鈥� he鈥檚 (loaned) them a completely furnished home with a view of the lake and he moved into the basement,鈥� said Morris.

鈥淚t turned out that he, himself, was a Bulgarian refugee from 25 years ago, and he said 鈥業 want to help them, they can have my house.鈥欌��

Together they鈥檙e planning to plant a garden in the summer.

There have been countless more examples of kindness and generosity, said Morris, noting that the children鈥檚 new school has been particularly notable.

鈥淭he principal at (the school) has been amazing at helping us prepare,鈥� she said.

鈥淲e were able to visit the two different classrooms, a Grade 1 and Grade 4/5 split class and when we got there the students welcomed them, smiling and waving.

鈥淭he school did a great job preparing the kids.鈥�

The warmth and generosity extended to the family has not been lost on them.

鈥淭hey are extremely overwhelmed, but they are so grateful,鈥� said Morris. 鈥淭hey will not stop saying thank you. The kids are so happy, they are so loving.鈥�

None of the family members speak English just yet, but they are intent on learning.

The father of the family already is hoping to find work, Morris said.

鈥淗e鈥檚 motivated, but he has little education,鈥� she said. 鈥淓nglish is our first priority, after housing.鈥�

To learn more about the fundraising efforts go to https://www.facebook.com/wkirs.