Syrian refugee sisters receive gifts with first IWK dialysis treatments

Hooked up to hospital equipment with tubes sticking out of their arms, two young Syrian refugees were surprised when they receivedsome Valentine's loveatthe IWK Health Centre in Halifax.

A woman pushing a toy cart greeted the Ali sisters, Zeyn, 10, andViyana 13, with a hello and introduced herself in Arabic. She askedthe girls to pick Valentine's gifts, and they chose dolls.

A card on the gifts said they were for patients and families and from everyone at the IWK.

The girls were receiving their first kidney dialysis treatments at thehospitalon Friday. That was the day after landing inHalifax, ending a two-year search for a safe home after fleeing Syria.

The family was supposed to be calling Saint John, N.B. home. However, daysbefore their arrival, their sponsoring church learned the girls hadspecial medical needs, so it was decided the family should settle inHalifax to be close to pediatric specialists.

The Beechville Lakeside Timberlea refugee sponsorship group stepped upquickly to act as the Ali family's sponsors.

That commitment involvesassisting the family to adjust to life in Canada, including getting themto medical appointments.

The Ali family says they are thankful to be in Canada.