Syrian Children and Rafi Ghanaghounian

Toronto: Canada refugee effort hailed as model for world by head of UN agency Saskatoon musician donates song to Syrian refugees Syrian refugee children enjoy an art-filled day in Richmond At the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Syrian children newly arrived to Canada have been given colouring books created just for them, entitled "Welcome to Toronto." To create the book, Rafi Ghanaghounian rallied 30 of his fellow artists to each contribute a sketch of their favourite thing about Toronto, according to CBC. Next to the drawings, the artists wrote a few words about their choice, which were then translated into Arabic. "The reason why the book was put out was to get the children involved," Ghanaghounian said in an interview with CBC News. "It a fun way to discover the city of Toronto but also to maybe learn a little bit of English at the same time." Mario Calla, the executive director of COSTI Immigrant Services, agrees getting refugees out in the community is important. But Syrian refugees in Canada are also getting a cultural education about their new country through the universal language of the arts. Syrian refugees pose with the executive director of the National Ballet of Canada, Barry Hughson, and artistic director, Karen Kain, before seeing a performance of Romeo and Juliet in Toronto on March 15, 2016. But last week they took 72 people, mostly children, on a special field trip to the National Ballet of Canada performance of Romeo and Juliet. "They can't just be sitting in a hotel," said Calla. "It an opportunity from them to be exposed to Canadian culture." And an opportunity for kids to be kids. Most days, his organization is helping refugees settle in and learn the language. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.