A family who escaped from the war torn country of Syria as refugees have found refuge in Winkler. However, due to a medical emergency, they were forced to leave their father and mother behind.

Now the family only dreams of reuniting with their parents in Canada.

Their son Sulaiman, 22, explains it's been a difficult and dangerous process helping their parents escape Syria.

To gain access to Lebanon as Syrians the Al Hendi's took advantage of a loophole, Syrians can only enter the country if they have a reservation with a Lebanese hotel. Secondly, both parents had to show the Lebanese border officer a $1,000 USD, even though the Syrian government doesn't allow its citizens to be in possession of American currency.

"And how does that work? We don't know... It's strange," Sulaiman says.

The family was forced to wire their parents the money though a number of channels and under different pseudonyms to avoid detection.

"It was dangerous, there was a risk," he says, but now the family can breathe a little easier.

After weeks of paperwork and secret preparations the Al Hendi's parents Abdul and Ramza managed to enter Lebanon.

Sulaiman says there are only a few steps left in the sponsorship process with MCC before they can fly to Canada.

"We haven't seen them for a year and a half," he says. "I don't think we'll sleep for a week before they arrive."

He says their parents could arrive anytime in the next four to eight months.

To help raise money for the refugee sponsorship, the Al Hendi's and their Canadian supporters are hosting a traditional Syrian Dinner fundraiser November 12 in Winkler. To reserve your spot call 204-384-5475.