Stories of
impact

Empowering Syrian Refugee Kids in Montreal

Wednesday August 10, 2016

Montreal Tamil Making an ImpactLike many, I was moved by the plight of Syrian refugees and wanted to make a contribution to the integration of Syrian kids in Montreal. And so I offered my time and dedication to the Montreal community with professional henna service as a way to raise money for Camp Cosmos and Syrian Kids at Camp – to welcome 30 Syrian children this summer in our downtown camp and new West Island camp.

My parents being Sri Lankan refugees who came to Canada in the 1980s, I am aware of the struggles faced by families arriving in a new country, and am particularly concerned about the well-being of children.

Through my dedication and perseverance, I made a donation of $600 to buy art supplies for Camp Cosmos. I wanted to make a positive impact in my local community so I chose to help children and in particular Syrian refugee kids. Seeing war and violence at a young age, I believe that having a way to express their inner thoughts and feelings through art is a therapeutic way to heal their souls. And thus, donated my time and energy to raise money through my form of art.

I wanted to witness how the money I raised through henna from May to July 2016 made an impact in children and I was beyond satisfied. There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing children filled with joy and sharing their love for one another in such a diverse environment. Few of the many reasons why I love Camp Cosmos is their emphasis on the importance of the environment and the Earth, as well as being in an inclusive space with kids coming from diverse backgrounds.

Once again thank you so much to all those who helped me make it possible for Camp Cosmos to buy art supplies for the kids. I hope that by cultivating their love for art, that they grow up to use it as a way to release their emotions and to heal their souls.


Montreal City Mission

Montreal City Mission (MCM) is a downtown community organization that’s been finding long-term solutions to problems of poverty and social exclusion since 1910. Located in the beautiful St. James Church on St. Catherine Street, MCM helps children from low-income families, children with special needs, refugees, and immigrants in Montreal. MCM helps break their isolation and ease their integration through three crucial programs: 1) A legal information clinic that helps disadvantaged groups defend and understand their rights (refugees, elderly tenants, homeless or poorly housed people). 2) An affordable summer camp that provides children with special needs and children of single-parent, immigrant, refugee, Aboriginal, and low-income families, with a safe, structured, and fun place to spend their summer 3) A mobile legal clinic that defends vulnerable senior citizens’ rights