Settlement workers prepare to help Syrian refugees in Manitoba

Iftu Ibrahim knows the challenges of adjusting to a new country.

She immigrated to Canada from Ethiopia more than 20 years ago first arriving in Toronto, then eventually moving to Winnipeg.

She still remembers the day she ended up lost in a new city, after something as simple as going out to buy milk.

"I couldn't find my apartment," said Ibrahim. "That was just a nightmare for me."

Now, as part of the St. Vital Neighbourhood Settlement Program,she and Priya Sharma are working to help newcomers transition to life in Canada.

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Tucked away in a small office at the Ren Deleurme Centre, the two work within the Louis Riel School Division in helping families with everything from learning about the school systemto taking the bus and cooking Canadian food.The services are offered to all new permanent residents in the St. Boniface and St. Vital area.

"This is important to me to support newcomers, refugees, help them as they need," said Ibrahim.

Sharma was born in Winnipegbut knows the challenges her parents faced as immigrants. Growing up, she had her own.

"Even though I was born and raised here, I felt like I immigrated every day from India which was in my house and then I'd come to school and it would be Canada," said Sharma.

"So I had my own cultural adaptation process, and I feel like I've been a success. I feel like my family's been a success and I've wanted to just help and share my experiences with other newcomer families and youth."

The province says it could see up to 700 school-age refugees from Syria in the new year. While it's too soon to know when they will be arriving, or what schools the children will be attending, Sharma said they're already preparing.

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She said the two have already started hearing from community organizations, church groups and health centres wanting to help.

"We will really act as advocates for our Syrian families in helping them create partnerships and finding supportshere in our community," Sharma said.

One of her biggest priorities is making sure families feel welcome.

"What are their dreams in Canada?" said Sharma. "We make sure they access services to help them reach those dreams.We have many different programs. We have English conversation circle where they can meet, they can practice their conversation. They can meet other families. In all of our programs they can meet other families who are new as well.

"So, they leave their support systems back in their original countries. So it's time for them to meet new and develop support systems here in Canada."