Syrian refugee family sponsored by Lewisporte group desperate for help

A Syrian refugee who just arrived in central Newfoundland says her family is stuck in limbo in Lebanon and facing a dire situation.

Talika Morjan described her arrival in Lewisporte last week as "beautiful" and "excellent," but she's battling the guilt of leaving family members behind.

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Morjan arrived in Canada from Lebanon, but said she experienced some horrific events while she was living in Syria. 

"She was walking one day in the street and she saw a young fellow walking beside her," said Naz Faidullah, translating for Morjan.

"Right away there was a hail of bullets everywhere and the guy beside her was killed."

Morjan was covered by the man's blood and said a bullet hit her leg.

Shortly after that incident, Morjan fled to Lebanon with her son Mohammid, his wife, their nine-year-old daughter and seven-year-old son.

Cramped living space

Morjan said she and her family spent the next four years living in tight quarters, sharing a space with 11 other people that was smaller than her new apartment.

"She told me that they were living in a room that has water coming down from the ceiling everywhere," said Faidullah.

Morjan said the situation has only gotten worse. Her son Mohamad can't work in Lebanon because his residency permit has expired. 

"The first thing she thought about when she got her first check … she said I want to send the money to my son so he can get his residency there," said Faidullah.

Mohamad and his family were set to arrive in Lewisporte earlier this spring but have been stuck in the processing stage of the refugee system, according to Lewisporte Refugee Outreach, a group that works to bring refugees to central.

Push for help

"She said she wouldn't come if she knew that her son was not coming. She wants to reunite with her family," said Faidullah.

"They hope and they are praying and that are asking for any help."

Rev. Stephanie McClellan, with the Lewisporte Refugeee Outreach group, is petitioning government to look into Marjan's family's situation. 

McClellan is asking that people email MP Scott Simms and Minister of Immigration John McCallum to ask for help in getting the rest of Morjan's family to Canada.

"It is urgent that we intervene quickly on behalf of this family," McClellan wrote in an email.

"We have been ready for their arrival for months."