Zainul Lalani came to Canada as a refugee from Uganda over 43 years ago when he was 15 years old.
He still remembers all the warm welcomes and amazing support given to him and many other Ugandan refugee families by the people of Canada. He has always been wanting the opportunity to give back, to pay forward. Thus his decision to get involved with the Syrian refugee families coming into Canada and particularly into Waterloo Region.
Zainul and his wife Sherry Lynn Hanna, are working with the incoming Syrian refugee families in Waterloo region. In addition to their own personal funds, they have started a small, personal fundraising campaign so that they could extend support to as many Syrian families as possible.
Zainul and Sherry’s goal is to personally meet and welcome each and every Syrian family that settles in Waterloo Region. They go to their homes and gift them with a $50-$100 Grocery Store Gift-Card (Food Basics, Freshco, Sobeys, Zehrs) as well as a “Welcome to Canada” box containing many essential non-perishable food and household items, in particular, heavy, bulky items that are hard and heavy for them to carry home from the store. The welcome box consists of rice, red lentils, flour, sugar, salt, black pepper, cooking oil, ketchup, chick peas, Arabic coffee, laundry detergent, dish soap, bathroom tissue, Kleenex and a treat bag for the kids.
To date they have visited 26 families. They have another 23 families on their list to visit, and are awaiting another 29 families who are currently in temporary accommodations. They hope to visit these families once they have moved and settled into their homes.
In addition to above, Sherry Lynn spends 3-5 hours almost every day at the “Shop-For-Free” donation center setup in Kitchener, Ontario. Sherry Lynn manages all the incoming donations of these items and leads a team of volunteers who help unpack and organize these items on tables, shelves and racks. This is where the Syrian refugee families come to pick up items such as clothing, footwear, diapers, basic household items and basic starter food items. Sherry Lynn also assists and works with the Syrian refugee families as they come to the donation center to pick up.
CTV News Kitchener have spoken to Zainul and Sherry several times and have also broadcast their work on CTV News.
Watch here:
Contact Sherry Lynn and Zainul if you wish to lend a hand and contribute in the cause of resettlement
Zain Lalani and Sherry Lynn Hanna
Mobile: 416-991-9194
eMail: la_zain@hotmail.com
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