New efforts are underway to help make the transition a little easier for thousands of refugees arriving in Manitoba.
In 2016, the province plans to welcome 3,000 refugees. Normally about 1,300 refugees arrive in Manitoba each year.
Many will come from war-torn Syria, but refugees from unstable African countries such as Ethiopia and Congo, are also arriving in big numbers.
Already 1,000 Syrian refugees have settled in Manitoba since around the beginning of the year - about 800 of those in Winnipeg.
On Saturday, refugee and immigration organizations, the province and city of Winnipeg banded together at a service fair.
"Whatever they need, employment, education, recreational services, all under one roof so they find what they need,” said Abbi Kheir Ahmed, the coordinator of Local Immigration Partnership Winnipeg and a main organizer of the fair.
But for Hoda Hmede, it's not services she wants most, it’s to have her family stuck overseas by her side. The thought of her brother brought her to tears.
“Her brother is in Lebanon and he is trying very hard to come but he is unable,” a translator told CTV News. Still Hmede says the services offered and being surrounded by Syrians brings comfort.
Fresh food for refugees
Another effort bringing comfort – new garden plots specifically for refugees on the Old Exhibition Ground in the North End.
Food Matters Manitoba raised money and came up with a plan to give 15 refugee families garden plots to grow their own food. The plan was made a reality with the help of Home Depot, who designed and donated the wooden beds.
Refugee Salama Teteli fled fighting in Congo seven years ago. The mother of seven says growing her own food does more than feed her family.
"When I get fresh food I start to become happy and the stress goes away,” she said before racking soil.
