Edmonton couple opens doors, and hearts, to Syrian family with 11 children

Tom and Sandy LaPointe may have the busiest home in Edmonton these days.

They've just opened their doors to a family of Syrian refugees — a rather large family.

The LaPointes are members of Riverbend United Church, so when the church decided last fall to sponsor a family from Syria, they were all for it.

The newcomers arrived in Edmonton on Sunday, and somehow the LaPointes found room for all of them.

All 13, that is.

Jasem and Alieh Khalaf and their 11 children, aged five to 20, have spent the past year living in refugee camps in Lebanon.

Now they're busy settling in at their new — temporary — home.

Asked how the first night went, Sandy said: "They ate well."

One reason things went so smoothly was that the church congregation and other volunteers prepared four meals ahead of time.

Since there's a language barrier, everyone in the house has been pointing and using hand gestures. "We have been playing a little charades," Sandy said, describing the current communication system.

Asked which words the Khalaf family has mastered so far, she said: "They're saying merci and thank you."

In a pinch, the LaPointes have phone numbers for three translators they can call for help.

The Khalaf family will stay with their new hosts for the time being. The church has rented a duplex in the city, and the congregation has been working hard get it ready.

The LaPointes already had plenty of toys around the house, for when their grandchildren visit.

Tom said Jasem worked as a tiler back home, and they're already trying to connect him with local companies where he might find a job.

Making room for such a big bunch wasn't that difficult, he said. Their own children are married and moved out, so five of their six bedrooms were empty.

Now that the house is packed again, he said, "It's back like the old days."