Miriam Al Labad (photo courtesy of Wes MacVicar, Avon Maitland District School Board)Miriam Al Labad (photo courtesy of Wes MacVicar, Avon Maitland District School Board)
Midwestern

Syrian Teen Speaks To Avon Maitland School Board Trustees

A Syrian refugee stole the show at this week's Avon Maitland District School Board meeting.

Miriam Al Labad arrived in Canada in December of last year, and says it wasn't the best time to travel from Syria to Canada. The 16-year-old says she found snow fascinating at first, but the novelty wore off quickly and she no longer likes snow.

But she told trustees what she loves about Canada are the people and how much they've helped her, and the opportunities she now has to go back to school after not having that opportunity for five years.

Miriam says she wants to be a doctor so she can give something back to the country that has taken her in.

She says her biggest challenge since coming to Canada is learning the language, but credits her teachers and friends with helping her to get better at that.

Miriam now attends Stratford Central Secondary School.

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