Exciting Arrival - Celebrating Accomplishments

Wednesday afternoon a number of us from Bolton made our way down Hwy 50 to the Airport to greet our Iraqi Refugee family.  While the plane they were travelling on arrived in Toronto at 3:25, it was after 5:00 before they made their way through the landing process with Immigration officials and came through the customs clearance area.  There was anticipation as we waited with flowers, candies, and refreshments in the arrivals area at terminal 3.  With the 7 of us from Bolton, there was Evelyn`s Sister Eileen (and husband and 3 children) who live in Hamilton. It was quite an emotional and tearful welcome  for this family whose journey began years ago when they experienced persecution in Iraq, and so, after some time fled to the refugee camp in Syria.


Madeline (Sister), Sant (13), Mirna (10), Maryana (4), Evelyn (Mom)



Welcome To Canada!

After some words of greeting and a few pictures, the family was hustled on to transportation to the COSTI Refugee welcome centre in Downtown Toronto. Thursday afternoon we will meet with the Resettlement Officer and the Family, discussing the plan for the next few weeks, and having the first of many orientation sessions. Our hope is that the family will spend some time in Bolton during Canada Day weekend, looking at possible housing alternatives!

 

Congratulations Class of 2011!

From the Airport I made my way - through crazy traffic - to the Powerade Centre in Brampton - not for a hockey game - but for the Robert F. Hall Catholic Secondary School Graduation ceremonies.  With over 500 students to graduate - there are not many facilities where you can host at minimum 2000 people! I figure there were over 3,000 in attendance, with proud parents, grand parents, brothers, sisters and staff.  It was a grand evening celebrating accomplishements and at the same time looking forward to the future.

I guess in many ways Wednesday was all about looking to the future - whether a future in the workplace or academics - or a future in a new country, free from persecution!

Peace