Regina elementary school fills 300 backpacks for Syrian refugees

When kindergarten teacher Andrea Taylor watched a documentary about Hany, a Syrian refugee who now lives in Regina, she was inspired.

"It moved me. It changed my perspective and I thought what is my skill set? How can I help?" said Taylor.

It changed my perspective and I thought what is my skill set? How can I help?- Andrea Taylor, kindergarten teacher at George Lee Elementary School

Taylor has been teaching at George Lee Elementary School in Regina for eight years and has hadmany students whocame to Regina as refugees.

"I wanted to do something that would help the children with the transition and their teachers as well," said Taylor.

Several companies donated money and materials to fill more than 300 backpacks with schools supplies and a certificate for indoor shoes.

Grade 2 student Moxie Marahatta said she is excited to be part of the backpack project.

"There is a bad thing happening in Syria right now. We want to help them."

The seven year old is originally from Nepal and said it's important that they do something "because our school is all about making people feel welcome and like they belong,"said Marahatta.

Our school is all about making people feel welcome and like they belong.- Moxie Marahatta, Grade 2 student

George Lee has a high number of EAL students Taylor said the biggest thing they teach the children at their school is "to be kind to one another."

"We all get along by treating the people who are new here or who are different like they are from our place," added Marahatta.

George Lee is expecting to welcome some of the new Syrian refugees to their school in the coming months.