Syrian refugee family to start a new life in Edmonton

In 2014, Taher Istaboulywent to visit his brother Maherin a Turkish refugee camp.He left knowing he had to do something to help his brother escape the grinding poverty.

"It is very hard to find jobs, there are no schools for the kids," Istaboulysaid. "Even if you find a job, it is way less than the average wage."

His brotherwas forced to movehis family from Syria across the Turkish border into a refugee camp five years ago.

During the Syriancivil war,Maher Istabouly hadlost all his possessions including his house. He was even detained in prisonfor 28 days.

In an effort to find a better life for his brother'sfamily, TaherIstaboulycontacted the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers.

The centre runsa program aimed at bringing families to Canada as refugees.

Four-and-a-half months later, the brothers were reunited at the Edmonton International Airport Tuesday evening.

"You can't describe how you feel;it is like a gift from God," Istabouly said. "I feel they are safe here, the kids will go to school. That's what we need."

The two families will live together until family members canfind jobs, learn English, and become acclimatized to Canadian society.