Surge in Syrian refugees has school backpack program seeking donations

FidaaAlasahhersays a backpack full of free school supplies will help her 12-year-oldsonTarekadjusttoschool and catch up on the years he missed out of the classroom.

TheAlasahherfamily is hoping to receiveone of more than 2,100 well-stockedbackbacksfrom the Caring and Sharing Exchange,an Ottawa agency that says the arrival of Syrian families is driving the demand for supplies beyond what they can manage.

The agencyrunsthe sharing in studentsuccess program, and has been providing free backpacks full of age-appropriate supplies like crayons, notebooks, pencil cases, geometry sets and calculators to children in need for the last five years.

But this year, demand for the backpackshas skyrocketed: the Caring and Sharing Exchange has seena 33-per-cent increasein requests this year, which means the agency has an additional waiting list of more than850 clients.

Now, they're hoping the public can help them raise $35,000 to meet demand.

"I am just really hoping that as a community we can come together," said CindySmith, the agency's executive director.

"It's hard to go back to school without the necessities you need for school. You feel isolated, and it's a hit to your confidence. And the first day of school shouldbefun for children."

Missed 3 years of school

Alasahher,her husbandZide, Tarek and six-year-old Mouhamadcame to Ottawa as refugees in February 2016after fleeing war-tornSyria three years ago.

Before coming to Canadathe family took refuge in Lebanon,but Tarekwasn't able to attend school there.His mother says she wants both her sons to get a good education,and that starts with the proper school supplies.

"[Education is] very important for thembecause they stayed out of school for three years when wemoved from Syria," said Alasahher, speaking through a translator.

"In Lebanon youcan't do your education."

Donations accepted until Sept. 30

One local agency theCaring and Sharing Exchange distributes backpacks to is the Somali Centre for Family Services. Smith said that last yearthe centre requested 63 packs,and this yearthey've requested backpacks for 300 children, a nearly five-fold increase.

The Centre reports that nearly 97 per cent of the children on their list are Syrian newcomers, Smith said.

Smith said the backpack program's budget is $125,000.The agencywill accept donations up to Sept. 30,but Smith said they'dprefer to fill all the requests for backpacks before the start of the school year.

"I'd like to appeal to the people inOttawa to help us [ensure]children to go back to school withtheir heads held highand ready to learn."