After one month, the Toubaji family is finding it easier and more comfortable to live in Thunder Bay as they adapt to Canadian life.
Bombings forced the Toubaji family to flee their Syrian home more than four years ago. The family includes carpenter Zaher Toubaji, his wife Nisreen and their daughters Hadeel,19, and Sama, 13.
"Ever since arriving in Thunder Bay everyone has been very welcoming and friendly," Zaher Toubaji said through an Arabic interpreter.
"All the challenges I faced at first or what I thought I would face don't seem like challenges anymore because I have a very good support circle."
He added that people unrelated to him are visiting the family’s home to help teach them English.
"I have a notebook that I try to jot everything down I can remember."
Zaher Toubaji and his wife begin English classes at the Multicultural centre Friday. Their first class determines their level of English as well as what classes to take.
Toubaji's daughters Hadeel, Grade 10 and Sama, Grade 8 began school shortly after their arrival.
Hadeel said her classmates have been more than helpful during her first two weeks at Hammarskjold Highschool.
"The people have been very friendly, they're helping me out with everything. Whenever I need something someone is there to translate it for me," Hadeel said.
"At first it was a shock to just be here, now I have seen more people, met more people and have gotten to know people at school. It's very easy for this to become my way of life."
The family is expecting eldest daughter Ghina and her husband Mohammad in the coming weeks.
