How can it be that such a tragedy in Syria could end up bringing me such joy?
I ask myself this question often as I get to know the Syrian people who have come to Airdrie.
Rewind.
September 2014 Motherwell Diocesan Justice and Peace group. Meeting with Bishop Toal.
We are overwhelmed as the tragedy of refugees fleeing SYRIA unfolds.
We feel helpless.
March 2015 Diocesan Justice and Peace meeting.
I say I will email my local North Lanarkshire councillors and ask NLC to consider taking 50 Syrian refugees.
April 2015 Councillors respond favourably. Matter referred to the chief executive.
May 2015 A meeting is arranged with a housing official.
June 2015 Meeting takes place and includes the council official dealing with the Congolese resettlement.
We are given a positive reception. They don't say yes but they don't say no. The matter will be put to all of the councillors.
September 2nd 2015 A dead Syrian baby is washed up on a beach.
September 7th 2015 David Cameron declares Britain will take 20,000 refugees from Syria over 5 years.
NLC decide to take 120 refugees. 42 will be resettled in Airdrie and Coatbridge.
The local community mobilises to welcome the Syrian families.
November 2015 12 families arrive in Airdrie and Coatbridge.
December 2015 The Syrian Ladies in Airdrie join the Culture Cafe.
It is not a cafe in the usual sense. It is a place where women of different cultures can come together, get to know each other, share their cultures and learn different skills.
This was to be place where I started to get to know the Syrian ladies.
It was brought to my attention that one of the ladies’ teenage son had not yet been placed in school due to his additional needs. His parents were becoming very distressed as the long confinement at home was seriously affecting his behaviour.
I suggested that I could take him along to the Coatbridge ALMA club (a diocesan club for adults with additional needs). His mum was agreeable. This was the start of a friendship with the whole family, whom I now visit regularly.
Eventually a befriender group was established. Each family was assigned 1 or 2 befrienders. I became a regular visitor to the local Mosque where befrienders would meet to support each other.
The Holy Spirit moved through our community, inspiring and guiding our faith groups and people of goodwill to support NLC in the resettlement and integration of our Syrian neighbours. People helped in all manner of ways from organising social occasions to practical help like transport, donating nappies and any extras they might need.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement with the Syrian people. I have found it humbling, fascinating and uplifting. However I can never forget the terror that has been visited on these people. They are still processing the horrors of war.
Only after you have built up trust with them will they confide in you.
It can be difficult to be the keeper of such confidences.
Some of the Syrians living in Coatbridge chose to speak publicly about their experiences. They spoke of constant bombing, gas attacks, torture and imprisonment.
Their testimonies were harrowing.
Two years on and the Syrians are doing their best to settle into life in Airdrie and Coatbridge.
Syrian weans sound like Scottish weans.
Mums and dads are improving their English at college.
Some of the young men have found employment.
Some have their British driving licence and are driving.
The Jasmine Syrian Scott’s Association has been established.
NLC have resettled more Syrian families in Bellshill, Motherwell and Cumbernauld.
However these Syrians have heavy hearts full of fear for those left behind in Syria and in Refugee camps.
Listen to their Voices
The international community must find a peaceful solution to this crisis.
Britain must resettle more Syrian refugees (the promise to resettle 20,000 has not yet been reached).
It must be made simpler for refugees to register with the UNHCR.
A Call to Peace Makers
Get informed.
Get active
Pray for peace
Ask your local council to get involved in the resettlement scheme.
Don't let the government off the hook.
Welcome the stranger.
Betty Gillick. Motherwell Diocesan Justice Peace Group