A unique immigration story

Kings North MLA, family sponsor family in memory of late son

Kings North MLA John Lohr and his wife, Heather, have sponsored a new immigrant family to move to Nova Scotia.

Recently, they welcomed Thadeus and Anna Magora, along with their son Tshingo, 19, and daughter Shamino, 12, to Canada at the Halifax airport.

The Magoras, who have a unique connection to the Lohrs, immigrated from Zimbabwe. Thadeus is a machinist and has been hired by Lunenburg Industrial Foundry and Engineering (LIFE) through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).

“Many miracles happened to get them all here in Canada and settled into Lunenburg,” Lohr said. “We are very grateful to the Nova Scotia Nominee Program staff for arranging for Anna to have a work permit and for the fact that Tshingo was able to come even though he is 19-years-old.”

The two families have a special tie. Mcdonald Magora, the eldest son, was Caleb Lohr’s roommate during his first year at Memorial University in St. John’s, Newfoundland. He is currently studying to be an engineer.

“Mcdonald came to our home for that first Christmas in Canada. That’s how we came to be involved in helping the Magora family come to Canada,” said Lohr.

Caleb Lohr died accidentally while hiking in November 2014 at Cape Split.

“Another miracle is that Lunenburg Foundry chose to hire Thadeus despite the fact that he lived halfway around the world. We are very grateful for the Kinley family and LIFE staff for working through the PNP paperwork.”

Lohr expects a final miracle will happen sometime in the coming months when Mcdonald is reunited with his family.

“Studying in Newfoundland, he has not seen his parents or siblings for four years,” Lohr said.

“The finances simply have not been there to allow any sort on international travel for the family. That reunion cannot come soon enough for the Magoras.”