A SYRIAN refugee family who fled their war-torn country are settling well in their new Cardigan home.

Local charity Croeso Teifi welcomed the family to the town back in November. It worked tirelessly for 12 months to make its dream a reality and all that effort looks set to pay off.

Project director Vicky Moller said: “We quickly found that they spoke no English but that did not inhibit communication or joy. The two children danced when we stopped in a cafe on the way home.

“The parents have started learning English straight away and are improving fast. This term the young children started full-time school and are learning Welsh. The parents are also volunteering every week.”

Croeso Teifi works with the Home Office and local authority on settling up to three Syrian refugee families in or near Cardigan.

The team is aware of the importance of not competing with local needs for jobs, and minimising use of scarce public services. The family was chosen by the United Nations organisation, working with the Home Office with guidance from the local authority.

Croeso Teifi let the Home Office know the skills that this area is short of before the selection.

“The family say they love Wales, love Cardigan and love their home. The children go to school with a smile and come back practising their Welsh,” said Vicky.

“Their father is looking forward to getting into full time work, and both parents are doing a lot of homework to learn English quickly and dad has just joined Cardigan football team. They want to learn Welsh after learning English.”

Work is now going on to prepare for a second family and anyone interested in helping should get in touch or attend the AGM which is on March 6. Contact Vicky Moller on 07791 809 810 for details.

Vicky added: “Community-sponsored settlement is different to government supported settlement. The community provide all the money and gifts to ensure a successful integration.

“The charity find and equip a home, provide translation and English lessons, work and training opportunities. The family has lost everything in the ongoing destructive war over Syria so the volunteers become their first friends, helping them adapt to a totally new life.

“They have been helped and also amazed at the open-hearted warmth of the welcome from Cardigan. The family are longing to stand on their own feet and bring benefits to the town as well as receiving them.”

Wales is actually leading the UK in community sponsorship. Aberystwyth has its own community scheme with a first family due and there are several community-sponsored families already in Pembrokeshire.

The scheme was inspired by Canada where community sponsorship has been running for over 40 years. It enables refugee newcomers to belong to a local community from the word go, to quickly adapt and contribute their skills.