November 1st will be a day of remembrance for both Sister Kitty and I.
Like elders in families, it was important to accompany our guests to the driveway of our home, as they went on their way this morning to begin their new life in Canada. It was amazing to see that there was still some stuff that needed to fit into the car along with the parents and 2 young boys full of energy at what was awaiting them a few short blocks away.
IMAGE: Hermes Rivera @hermez777
Their journey to Canada began back in mid-August when they got word that they could leave Afghanistan as soon as there was room on an outgoing plane. With some delays, they were finally inside the gates of the airport and felt safe as they waited 4 more days to be called forward to board the plane with over 1,000 people all sitting on the floor in silence, praying and hoping that the flight would soon begin. Silence overshadowed any expression of excitement as they all were fearing for their lives and the waiting seem to take forever. On August 27th after 4 days in Kuwait, the family boarded a commercial plane with a flight path to Toronto Pearson. After landing safely, the family was asked to quarantine for another 2 weeks with only 10 minutes allowed outdoors once a day during this time.
The New Canadian Centre in Peterborough, a settlement agency that works with the Canadian Government to assist Government sponsored refugees is responsible for this family. Temporary housing was offered in one of the hotels so that the family could get vaccinated and begin looking for permanent housing etc. as well as beginning the journey of learning about Canada and what would be required of them.
Sister Kitty and I received a phone call in mid-October asking if we could assist with a 4 day stay for the family because the hotel rooms in the city were all pre-booked due to a weekend hockey tournament. When the 4 days ended, New Canadian Centre asked about them staying with us until the 1st of November when they would be moving into their own apartment. Offering short term hospitality to refugees was “why we moved back to Ontario in August 2020” – so we were delighted to assist with this request!
As the days went by, the family became more comfortable with us, and it was nice to hear giggles and laughter coming from the two little boys in the basement apartment. Mom wanted to learn some English while she was with us – and came up to the dining room to learn the days of the week; the denominations of money; the alphabet; the months of the year. It was evident that she is eager to learn English and is anxious to begin her classes sometime in November. The children were busy and went to the park nearby often to play soccer and play on the swings. Dad can speak English and hopes to get registered in the Community College and learn a trade so that he can support his family.
One of the things we learned is that – leaving family members and all of the life they knew was a huge sacrifice yet as the days unfolded here in Canada there seemed to be nothing that could change their hope of providing a safe life for their children and no obstacle was going to stop them going forward.
May those who live with us uprooted from their homeland,
find a new home in our country where their history is respected,
their gifts and graces celebrated, and their fear lessened.
May we be their home and the ones who open our hearts in welcome.
-Sister Ann MacDonald, csj