Sarnia's first Syrian refugee family has arrived and is getting settled into its new apartment. During a meet and greet at the YMCA Learning & Career Centre Friday, Mohammed Al-Khaleel explained, through an interpreter, that he, his wife, and three young daughters are thankful to finally be here. Mohammed, a Unilever cosmetic products salesman, fled from Syria in 2012 and had lived in Lebanon before applying through the United Nations to immigrate to Canada. Arabic interpreter for Mohammed, Didir Ninikly says the family had a choice between Canada and Germany. [audio mp3="http://blackburnnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Interpreter-3-Feel-Safe.mp3"][/audio] Mohammed says he is most looking forward to learning the English language here. Spokesperson for one of the sponsoring churches, Diane Plug, says family members seemed overwhelmed when they arrived Wednesday. "It was emotional for me, I welcomed them at the door at the apartment with a couple of others," says Plug. "Oh yeah, it makes me cry, really!" Mohammed, 41, and wife Diana, 34, will be attending a church welcoming at Sarnia First Christian Reformed Church Sunday morning with daughters Rooa, 10, Raghaed, 8, and Rahaf, 6.
