Posted By: Monica Martinezon:
Repairing old rugs is a unique business in Victoria that requires unique skills.
“It’s very difficult to find people with weaving skills. We are very fortunate to have two Iranian weavers right now and they are fantastic but we have far more repair work than they can possibly handle,” said Stephen “Dusty” Roberts, owner of Luv-A-Rug Cleaning and Repair.
Roberts has enough work for two full-time weavers and is hopeful some of the Syrian refugees arriving might have that talent.
“Some of the Syrians are Armenians and some are Kurdish and these people are, in fact, master weavers and have a world-renowned reputation. So we really think we are going to find some really great people,” said Roberts.
Across Vancouver Island, people are stepping up help where they can.
“The community outpouring of support has been incredible,” said Reverend Bruce Bryant Scott, with the St. Matthias Anglican Church.
He knows of 27 groups on the island raising money.
“We are probably looking at well in excess of one million dollars being raised up and down the island in order to support 30 to 40 cases of refugees,” he said.
Others are donating goods, opening up their homes and some like, Heather Nelson, are offering services.
“As midwives we offer full-scope maternity care to women so that is prenatal care, labour and birth care and postpartum care for about six weeks after a baby is born.”
The health care costs are taken care of by the federal government.
Nelson just wants families arriving to feel welcome.
“As a midwife and as a community member, I just would really hope that people that have come through very stressful situations that they feel welcomed they feel well cared for.”
Ten thousand Syrian refugees are set to arrive in Canada by year’s end.
400 of them will be coming to B.C. Half are government assisted and half privately sponsored.
So far on Vancouver Island, ten are destined for Victoria.
People and businesses get ready to offer support, as thousand more refugees are expected to settle in B.C. in the coming months.
