A Coquitlam woman is transforming Bratz dolls and teddy bears to welcome Syrian refugees to Canada.
Selina Prevost started making the toys after seeing a similar transformation online, in which somebody had remade Bratz dolls into famous people. It was the Malala Yousafzai doll that sparked Prevost's imagination.
"I thought, 'Oh my goodness, I could do that,'" Prevost said. She dug out her daughter's collection of discarded Bratz dolls and cleaned the heavy make-up off, replacing it with clear polish for the eyes and nude polish on the lips.
The dolls' long, swinging hair was cut and tied in a simple ponytail and the glitzy outfits were swapped for simple, no-sew felt dresses and a head scarf.
"I wanted them to be something familiar," to the children, Prevost said, and while she noted that not all the Syrian refugee families are Muslim the head scarf would be fairly commonplace in their home country.
"They're coming to an unfamiliar place and I thought it would be nice for them to see something recognizable, and it's always nice to have a gift," she added.
For the boys, Prevost is making vests with Canada flags on them for small teddy bears.
All the toys have a handmade tag attached that reads, "Welcome to Canada," with the same message, written in Arabic, on the alternate side.
Prevost is hoping to make 100 of each toy and is welcoming donations of Bratz dolls and small teddy bears (or other animals, as long as they are in a sitting or standing position). Donations can be dropped off at Cape Horn elementary (155 Finnigan St., Coquitlam) or at Mayor Richard Stewart's office at Coquitlam city hall.
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@spayneTC
