Marilyn Hindmarch and Druze Association

Maya Mashah: Refugees and their sponsors met for a night of Arabic food, music, and dance at the Druze Association of Edmonton, according to CBC. The celebration was months in the making, and for many, it doubled as a first meeting. "It is absolutely the first time and it a pleasure and an honor to meet them," said Marilyn Hindmarch, who helps sponsor a Syrian family that came to Canada in November 2015. "We've waited this long to meet them and they're just so brave to have come all this distance and to be resettling and to be starting a new life." Hindmarch sponsor family includes 12-year-old Maya Mashah, who came to Canada with her mother and siblings. On Friday night, it was their turn to learn more about Syria. Mashah father died in the Syrian conflict. When I arrive, I saw things I have never seen before. The young refugee addressed the crowd in Arabic and English during the celebration. "My dream has become a reality," she said. "I love Canada and the people here have become my family. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.