Bittersweet Mother's Day for Syrian family separated from son
The family misses their 18-year-old son, now living with strangers in Lebanon camp
A Syrian woman in Halifax will spend her Mother's Day missing her son she was forced to leave behind in Lebanon two months ago.
While living in Lebanon, Beshra Sleman says she got a call from the Council of Canada. Her family, including her husband, 20-year-old son Mohannad and 12-year-old son Qusai, were approved to move to their new home in Canada.
Just four days before their departure to Halifax, they learned that 18-year-old son Nabil Abdel Sader was chosen for additional screening and background checks. The family was told he'd join them in a week.
"He dreams of going to school, but now he has to ask strangers to feed him when his family is so far away," his mother said in Arabic.
Living in a tent
Nabil now lives out of a tent on the outskirts of a Lebanon refugee camp mainly occupied by Palestinians, she said
The teen has no work permit, and his permit to be in the country has expired, she said.
"He is 18 — and hasn't gone to school since the war began five years ago," his mother said in Arabic.
'I just want to hug my mom'
Nabil said from Lebanon he's still not sure why he was separated from his family.
"I am staying with other Syrians. They feed me and let me use their phone for my parents to call me. I was hoping to start school this year. I realize it will not happen now," he said.
"I just want to hug my mom and to make sure my blind father has all the care he needs."
'Can't sleep at night'
Sleman's middle son is now her husband's main caregiver.
The family doesn't speak English. The language barrier has made it difficult to know where to ask for information on Nabil`s case.
"My kids are happy here. The youngest one is catching up at school very fast and for the first time in three years, we are not living in a tent, but I can't sleep at night," she said.
He's 'not safe there'
Sleman asked her children not to bring her any gifts for this Mother's Day until their brother is back.
"I know Nabil is hungry and probably not safe there," she said.
"This Mother's Day, I am asking God to help all the mothers separated with their children to find the way to get them back."