Syrian family finds new community in Hampton Roads

Abdul Kareem Almahdi, left, holds the mouth of his youngest son, Laith, 5, to show the dental assistant his new teeth growth during an appointment on Thursday, March 30, 2017. Almahdi moved his family from Raqqa to the United States in September 2016 after spending four years living at a refugee camp in Jordan. Located in the north eastern part of Syria and seized by militants in late 2013, the city the family once lived, is now the capitol of the Islamic State.The Almahdi family sits down to eat lunch after coming home from school on Friday, March 24. Zahara, far right, prepared a meal of chicken and rice with peas, stuffed grape leaves and fresh salad. Unlike some American families, family members don’t talk during the meals and the children are allowed to excuse themselves to go watch television or finish schoolwork.

From left: Yancarlo Villanueva, Laith Almahdi, 5, and Dasiyah Newby, 5, share a moment while waiting in line to leave art class at Carver Elementary School on Thursday, March 30, 2017.

Zahra Almahdi, left, stands in the background as Mohamad, 9, holds his father’s hand Abdul Kareem, right, in the living room of their home in Newport News. Almahdi moved his family from Raqqa to the United States in September 2016 after spending four years living at a refugee camp in Jordan. Located in the north eastern part of Syria and seized by militants in late 2013, the city the family once lived, is now the capitol of the Islamic State. (Aileen Devlin) MORE PHOTOS VIDEO