260 Computers provided to Syrian newcomer families

by New Brunswick Multicultural Council
April 14, 2016

MONCTON, FREDERICTON, SAINT JOHN – As part of a national initiative, Computers for Schools New Brunswick and the New Brunswick Multicultural Council are coordinating the distribution of hundreds of computers to newly arrived Syrian families.

80 computers, equipped with updated software and Arabic/English stickers for the keyboard, will be delivered to both the Multicultural Association of Fredericton and Multicultural Association of Greater Moncton Area on Thursday, April 14th.  Roughly 100 computers will be sent to the YMCA Newcomer Connections on Tuesday, April 19th.  The initial wave of computers will be provided to Syrian families; however this exercise has led to a partnership with Computers for Schools that will provide computers to other refugee families, moving forward.

“As children enroll in schools and parents look for work in their new community, these computers are going to be extremely useful” said Mike Timani, President of the New Brunswick Multicultural Council.  “These computers will help the students complete school assignments and help the parents with the process of preparing resumes and looking for employment, both of which are critical for integration.”

“Most of the Syrian families in New Brunswick also still have family and friends overseas, so the computers will also enable them to Skype and stay in contact – this is extremely important for their peace of mind.” said Timani.

A total of 260 computers will be sent to MAGMA in Moncton, YMCA Newcomer Connection in Saint John and the Multicultural Association of Fredericton, as well as to the more resent destinations such as Edmundston, Woodstock, Bathurst and Charlotte County.  They will be distributed over the coming weeks to government assisted refugees as well as privately sponsored refugee families, through the private sponsorship groups.