The inspirational and inclusive fundraising organization Living Free With Hope will be hosting an educational and enlightening guest speaker on Monday, February 10th, to shine a light and raise awareness about the wonderful work done by the Lacombe Community Refugee Effort.
The Lacombe Community Refugee Effort is a refugee sponsorship group based out of Lacombe, which has so far helped a Syrian family of 6, The Al Omar’s, relocate and settle here in our community. They recently submitted an application to sponsor Naema Al Omar’s sister and two children, and are waiting to hear more about that.
Guest Speaker for the evening is Pastor Marco Ste-Marie, who says talking about helping people in need who are on the other side of the world really helps to connect us, and give that sense of community to people from different walks of life.
“It’s about community and it’s about hope. We’re seeing two different communities in two different corners of the world, hoping for one another. The people here in Lacombe hoping to bring and support a family from Syria, then a Syria family that is hoping and waiting for a country that will welcome them. So it’s about community and what connects us all together with hope
Ste-Marie says simply helping a refugee navigate their way around our laws and customs can be hugely beneficial to a newcomer who might not even be able to speak the same language.
“It can very frustrating for them not being able to communicate their needs or their emotions and it can be very isolating. So of course, I think the first thing is to teach them and walk with them as they are learning this new language. But also understanding the differences in the culture. The two cultures are so different, and sometimes the cues that we give in society are not the same ones that they understand, and we need to introduce them to that. Of course, while respecting their own language and their own culture, but also to help them understand the differences and how they can adapt.”
The Living Free with Hope evening goes tonight, Monday, February 10th, starting at 7:00 pm at the Wolf Creek Community Church, with all proceeds going to support the Lacombe Community Refugee Effort.
You can click here to get tickets, with $10 from every ticket sold going towards the Lacombe Community Refugee Effort.
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