I’m so grateful to Canada for taking me in
Like so many others around the world, the image of a lifeless young boy washed ashore after his family courageously left their troubled homeland continues to remain vivid in my mind. It preoccupies me as I reflect on the desperation of those refugees seeking a new starting point in life. It is a numbing call to action for every member of this human race: What can we do to help?
For context, I am one of those fortunate individuals who was given a second chance of life in Canada, after immigrating as a refugee from Ethiopia more than three decades ago. It is impossible to put in words how grateful I continue to be, each and every day, for that dream come true. My personal story is not rare, yet it still serves as a reminder of compassion within this world.
In 1974, everything was going well and as it should be for a happy young man in a wonderful family. I was the first generation to have access to school in my family and was a rising track star set for university. Then the world came crashing down. Schools closed when war broke out in my beautiful homeland, Ethiopia. The situation escalated quickly and innocent families felt the wrath of a regime that clearly no longer represented humanitarian priorities.
During a peaceful protest in 1976, I was shot by the military, captured and imprisoned. By great destiny, I escaped and ultimately spent two years in hiding, finally to arrive in Sudan in 1978. At that time, I was confident I would go back to Ethiopia, but that never materialized. And so, with an empty knapsack, and like so many others, I had no choice but to flee.
Leaving family, loved ones, familiar environment and the only home I knew was the most difficult choice in life that I have ever made and one that others would not welcome putting themselves through. Realistically, I also understood that if I had stayed, I would likely have not survived.
In short, I found a way to Kenya later that year and in 1982 I was accepted as a refugee to Canada. It was a long and tumultuous journey. I witnessed many tragedies and hardship.
At the time, Canada was only accepting a few refugees and I was very fortunate to be one of them. I came to Regina, built my home here, became a Canadian citizen, and have done my best to be a productive member of society, looking for ways to give back to the community.
During this same time, there were many people who came to Canada from Eastern Europe and Vietnam. Today, they are highly respected members of society — entrepreneurs, business people and professionals alike — and also in a position to help others and shape our country into what this nation stands to be proud of.
The current refugee crisis throughout the Middle East and Africa is disturbing beyond words. Families and individuals are taking huge risks, endangering their very being in order to flee war for freedom. Tragically, many might not make it to a safe destination.
As citizens of a free country, I believe we must maintain the compassionate Canada that I knew when, as a refugee, the door was opened and I was offered a second chance.