Salmon Arm's lone Syrian not so alone anymore

It's been two months since Syrian refugee Mustafa Zakreetlanded in Salmon Arm, and now, he's no longer the only Syrian in town.

"We have here nowtwo other Syrianfamilies," said Zakreet.

"I'm just helping them [with] translation [because]they don't speak English."

Including Zakreet, community members inSalmon Arm havenow privatelysponsoredeleven Syrian refugees, with more than two dozen others on the way.

'Theygive me a hug like my mother'

During his first few days in Salmon Arm, Zakreetwas still getting to know his sponsor Kari Dukeshire.

But over the last eightweeks, they've developed a bond.

He said Dukeshireand her friendsremindhim a lot of his own mother, who was killed by a bomb in 2012.

"When my mother died, Ididn't seen any nuclear relatives like my aunts becauseeverybody was in different countries," said Zakreet.

"Ididn't see anybody pay attention to me like my mother [used] to. Now Ialways go to their houses and have lunch and have dinnerand [they]give me a hug like my mother [used to]. "

Zakreet, 24,is now enrolled in English classes and he's studying for his LPI (Language Proficiency Index) test, so he can apply to colleges.

He hopes to be a civil engineer, like he was back in Syria, before the war began.

'In spite of what he's been through, he's basically a happy man'

Community organizer Brian Ayotte said Zakreet'sintegration to Canadahas been remarkable.

"It's his generosity," said Ayotte.

"In spite of what he's been through, he's basically a happy man.I'm still not sure where that comes from but i think gratitude is part of it. He's having a bit of a struggle being the only one [but]i think it's helpful with these two other [Syrian] families. Hegets to speak his own language and share more of his own culture but itwill be wonderful when his own family gets here."