31 August 2016 | St Albans, UK [Victor Hulbert] St Albans Seventh-day Adventist church opened its doors to welcome Syrian refugee families on Monday, 22 August. Church members were delighted to facilitate a celebratory event organised by Herts Welcomes Syrian Families and St Albans for Refugees in collaboration with the Refugee Council and several other charities.
The combined meal and second-hand clothes sale was seen by the Refugee Council as a positive way to welcome the new families into the area. “It’s fantastic that communities across the county are helping to uphold Britain’s long history of welcoming refugees during their hour of greatest need,” stated Resettlement Manager, Hannah Picking. “Each Syrian refugee welcomed by Hertfordshire will have their life transformed, if not saved by this programme.”
Hazel Marie’s family were among a number of church members who worked tirelessly to support the day, arranging the hall, and even providing an activity and craft room for the children. As a retired teacher she is actively volunteering in the refugee programme, helping teach English to Syrian families. Between serving cakes and pouring hot drinks she expressed delight that her church could get involved in meeting some of the needs of the Syrian community.
“It was a long and tiring day but we felt a strong sense of happy satisfaction to know that some Syrian families have benefitted in many ways from being here. We have been blessed too, by sharing our time with them,” Hazel said.
The day included games, food and a sale of toys, clothes and other items, and helped the families to socialise and settle in. While interpreters were on hand, they were not needed by Raafat Kamal, President for the Adventist Church in the Trans-European region. He took time from a leadership meeting in the headquarters office opposite the church to welcome the refugees and encourage them in their new life in Hertfordshire. “Having gone through a civil war in Lebanon I understand something of their plight,” he said. “While as a church we have been helping in refugee camps in both Europe and the Middle East, I am delighted that these families can now be in a place of security and new beginnings.” Some of the families followed him out into the carpark to engage in further discussion.
Fatma from Syria enjoyed the event, saying: “Thank you for the event, we are so grateful. The community group are very nice and friendly people and made us feel welcome.”
“It was so lovely to come in and see the children with happy, smiling faces, and to see their parents in a more relaxed atmosphere,” stated Victor Hulbert, Communication director for the Church in Trans-Europe. He had recently returned from visits to camps in Greece and France, reporting on the plight of refugees and the need for a positive solution within Europe. “While only a small number, it is encouraging to see hope, and to see so many volunteers working to bring hope,” he said.
Church elder, Alan Redfern stated, “The HWSF charity is doing an excellent job and we are willing to help whenever we can. We applaud the initiative to help integrate these refugees into British society.” [tedNEWS]
For further information, visit the Refugee Council website.
tedNEWS Staff: Victor Hulbert, director; Esti Pujic, editor
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