Feature: Syrian refugees in Vancouver prepared for new life

A quiet neighborhood in suburban Vancouver, west Canada, seemed to have no connection with war-torn Syria. But this changed after a Syrian family moved in more than a week ago.

Yaser Mahmoud arrived in Vancouver three months ago with his parents, three sisters and a brother.

The Kurdish-Syrian family fled their home in Kobani, northern Syria, about two years ago after the city was invaded and destroyed by the Islamic State (IS).

They then crossed the Syrian border with Turkey, where they lived temporarily for a year and a half, but never felt welcome or safe. Three months ago, with the help of the United Nations, they came to Canada as refugees and finally moved into the present house from a hotel 10 days ago.

"They asked us if we would like to go to Canada and we said yes. They asked us: 'Do you want to go to Vancouver?'...We don't know where Vancouver is, but we said: 'Yes, we are going.' Then we are here and we are hoping for a better life," Yaser said.

The family said they were happy to be here and were anxious to become part of their new community.

"Right now everything is new to me. Basically, my knowledge is very limited. I don't know much about outside...I love here. It's a diverse community. I can see different nations here...And they are very helpful," Yaser said.

Yaser's family is among about 500 refugees from Syria who have already arrived in the province of British Columbia through a combination of government and private sponsorships. The province is preparing to receive 1,500 more in the coming weeks. Canada is set to take 25,000 Syrian refugees in total by the end of February.

A social service agency in Vancouver called S.U.C.C.E.S.S is helping families like the Yasers find housing and get established.

Queenie Choo, CEO of the agency, said Friday that her organization has been helping immigrants and refugees to settle down in Canada for more than forty years.

"Just imagine, you know, somebody who has come to a new country with a different culture. Some might actually have language barriers as well as traumatic experiences," she said.

Since 1973, the non-profit organization has been helping immigrants and refugees with language and job training as well as other settlement services. Choo said Syrian refugees will also need emotional support after years of suffering in the war zone.

As they have settled down, Yaser and his family feel relieved from years of struggle and violence.

Yaser, who had worked in auto painting and repair for years, said he hoped to resume his career in the new city.

"We want to be part of the community and start our new life here as soon as possible," he said. Endi