British Columbia·Photos

Syrian refugees give back to Vancouver community through food

A group of Syrian women hosted a dinner at the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House on Saturday to say thanks for the help they have received in settling in their new country.

Group of Syrian women prepare multicultural dinner to say thanks for help settling in Canada

Lena Al Ahmad, right, and other Syrian refugee women prepare food for a multicultural dinner at the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House on Saturday Dec. 3, 2016 in gratitude for the support they have received in settling as newcomers in Vancouver. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

A group of Syrian women hosted a dinner at the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House on Saturday to say thanks for the help they have received in settling in their new country.

"They want to give back to the community because they think that Canada [took] them when they didn't have any place to go to," said Sherifa Azzab, a settlement worker.

"So it is a kind of giving back to the community because they find Canadians very warm and they helped them in the time of need."

The group of women have been in Canada close to a year and prepared a short video, organized songs and cultural dances, and prepared special foods from Syria.

"We want Canadians to know there is lots of delicious Syrian food, and we want them to know Arabic culture," said one of the women Asmaa Qawas through Azzab.

Asmaa Qawas, right, has been in Canada for 11 months and says going to Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House has helped her foster a sense of community in Canada. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)
Syrian refugee women prepared food such as rice dishes like ouzi. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)
More food preparation involving cashew nuts at the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)
Some of the final dishes ready to be shared with people at a special multicultural dinner at the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)
Community members bought tickets to attend the multicultural dinner and were treated to Syrian food and culture at the event. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)
Nine Syrian refugee women helped put on the multicultural dinner at the Mount Pleasant Neighbourhood House and say that it was important to share their culture with the Canadians who have helped them feel welcome in their new country. (Tina Lovgreen/CBC)

with files from Tina Lovgreen.