Syrian refugees receive supplies and hope from one-woman delivery service

She's a one-woman delivery service for Syrian refugees.

Rizwana Sohail has crisscrossed Edmonton for monthsin her SUVstuffed with kitchenware, linen, bikes, electronics and other supplies.

"I just wanted to do something," she said. "They have been through so much."

But it's not just about supplies. Sohail wants Syrian newcomers to know they are welcome here.

"They were very lonely," said Sohail, recallingthe sobbing man who confided he was depressed, and all the kids she has seen without the usualhappy, childlike smiles.

Sohail started out seekingdonations on social media. She picked up whatever people can spare. Soon her garage was overflowing with rugs, furniture and other items for those in need.

Gave awayown living room furniture

For weeks, her family sat on patio furniture in theirliving room, after she gave away her own furniture to a family in need.

"I wanted to do something on my part," said Sohail, pointing to the pressure on the government because of the slumping economy. "The government is doing so much."

Between November and the end of February, Canada welcomed more than 25,000 refugees. One was Raneh Almasalmeh, who arrived in Edmonton five months ago with her family.

On Friday, during Ramadan,Sohail unloaded a brand new sewing machine at a north-side apartment complex to help Almasalmeh start a tailoring business.

Also there wasDuaa Almasalma, who immigrated from Syria six years ago. Over the past few months, she has called on Sohail to help several families.

As soon as I call her and ask her for something she will say, yes, come today.-DuaaAlmasalma

"She's doing a very good job," said Almasalma. "She's really helpful. As soon as I call her and ask her for something she will say, 'Yes, come today.'"

Sohail said she couldn't carryout her work without the support of her husband and friends. She hopes her efforts leave a lasting impression on her two teenaged children.

It was a lesson passed down to her as a young girl in Pakistan, after a magnitude 7.6 earthquake killed more than 80,000 people and leftmore than three million homeless.Her dad told her to gather up clothes and blankets todonate.

Give away what you love

"He said, 'Bring the best you have,' " she recalled.

Sohail grabbed her favourite cardigan, the burgundy one she saved for special events. Her father's words still echo in her mind: "You should give away all the things you love."

Those values appear to be taking root in the latest generation. Sohail waspleased to see bothkidsgave away theirhandheld video games to Syrian families.

She's also pleased by what she sees when she stops by to visit families she has helped.

"When you go see them, they're so different now," said Sohail. "They're so happy."

andrea.huncar@cbc.ca

@andreahuncar