The nine-year-old girl who died in hospital shortly after being struck by a bus in an Abbotsford intersection Friday morning has been identified as Hala Albarhoum, a recently resettled refugee from Syria.
Adnan Bhat, a Richmond resident involved with the Abbotsford Islamic Centre, has started a GoFundMe page to help support Hala鈥檚 four family members.
鈥淎 family of five escape the fangs of suffering and death in war torn Syria,鈥� Bhat wrote.
鈥淭hey lost loved ones, their wealth, their land, their honour 鈥� yet they were hopeful for a better life. They had each other by their side and that was their strength. They were hopeful that one day they find a home together, where the parents can see their kids grow young, and the kids see their parents grow old - in safety.鈥�
Bhat said that dream came true for the Albarhoums when they arrived in Abbotsford over a year ago, as government-sponsored refugees.
鈥淗owever, their joy and happiness were struck by a huge tragedy,鈥� he said.
The GoFundMe, which had raised more than $5,000 by Saturday evening, will help support Hala鈥檚 parents and two surviving siblings, Bhat said.
@KelvinGawley
kelvin.gawley@abbynews.com
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