Refugees connect with a crash course in curling
TORONTO Roughly two weeks after arriving in Canada from Thailand, Arun Daniel isn’t quite used to the cold — but he’s getting acquainted with one of the country’s favourite winter sports.
The 11-year-old and his mother, who originally fled Sri Lanka, were among some 45 governmentsponsored refugees getting a crash course in curling at a Toronto club this week in an effort to welcome them to their new home.
Laughter rang out on the ice as Arun and refugees from several countries, including Syria, Iraq and Iran, took turns sliding, throwing stones and sweeping the ice, with varying success — and, inevitably, the occasional tumble.
“When I see it on TV, I thought it was boring, really, but then when I really do it, it’s so hard,” he said. “And plus, it’s fun when you always fail and you really have to try again, I feel so fun doing it.”
The outing, arranged by the organization Together Project, paired the refugees with volunteer coaches. The organization was established last November to provide government-sponsored refugees with the same kind of community support granted to privately sponsored ones, director Anna Hill said.
Karam Jamalo, 25, said curling was a bit of a novelty after growing up with soccer and basketball.
“All I know about curling right now is I have to play with a group, I have to push this rock and I don’t know what else,” he said. “I’m not doing very well, but I’m still trying to do my best.”
Like Arun, Jamalo said he struggles with the icy temperatures, but added that winter sports have made the adjustment to life in Canada easier.
“Canada is a blessed country. I can try anything here,” he said. “It’s cold in winter, but I love it.”