The Upper Grand District School Board has welcomed almost 75 Syrian newcomer students since January.
Currently, the board is fundraising to help Syrian newcomers settle into schools and the community.
UGDSB has partnered with Orca Book Publishers to raise funds by selling their newly published book Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family’s Journey by Canadian children’s author Margriet Ruurs through school and board websites.
For every book sold through the board or school websites, Orca will donate $10 to local settlement agencies.
The picture book was inspired by the stone artwork of Syrian artist Nizar Ali Badr, who was discovered by chance by Ruurs.
Stepping Stones tells the story of Rama and her family, who are forced to flee their once peaceful village to escape the ravages of the civil war raging in their homeland. Rama and her family set out to walk to freedom.
Badr’s stone images illustrate the story.
To purchase the book visit https://www.ugdsb.on.ca/community/article.aspx?id=68406.
