Syrian refugees: Coquitlam, B.C. woman revamps Bratz dolls for the kids

A Coquitlam, B.C.woman is making over dollsto turn them into toys for Syrian refugee children.

Selina Prevost is stripping down Bratz dolls and givingteddy bears new clothesas a welcome gift for Syriankids arriving in B.C. later this year.

"I have children myself. Seeing the images in the news ... my heart [goes]out to the children and the mothers having to go through this," said Prevost.

Prevost, a mother herself, says the stories of Syrian refugees started off as any other news story but the debates around their admission into Canada and eventual arrival in her hometown "touched" her in a different way.

"They're actuallycoming here, where I live. I can see them, I can meet them, I can help."

The mother was inspired by a similar looking Malala Yousoufzai doll created by Vancouver artist Wendy Tsao.

After speaking with a local immigration services group, she realized the dolls were one way she could help.

Donations welcomed

Each of the dolls wears a tag on itswrist that says "Welcome to Canada" in English on one side, and Arabic on the other.

"I wanted to make the dolls seemfamiliarto them ...somethingthey could relate to but also tiesthem to Canada."

She's already made 13Bratz dolls and sewn fourteddy bearsnew outfits which includea Canadian flag on their lapel.

Prevost aimstomake at least 100 of each toy but is willing to do more if she can gather enough Bratz and bears.

Donations can be dropped off atCape Horn Elementary School at155 Finnigan St.or at the offices ofCoquitlam Mayor Richard Stewarton3000 Guildford Way.