My New Family

One afternoon in the winter of 2011 I arrived at the airport of Vancouver B.C, which is very far away from my home country Eritrea. It was the end of a prolonged and painful journey. At least, that was my thought at that time. I blessed the Lord for allowing me to have a safe and protected trip. I lived in the moment, but soon after arriving I realized that I had to deal with issues in the new, unknown country I landed in. No question, I felt safe but I realized that new worries began to surface. I couldn’t say that I was happy, as I had left behind the life I built for so many years, including the people I loved the most.

New challenges were at the door. Where could I live? What did I have to do… and when… and how? So many questions were on my mind – it was so difficult to find answers. I soon received assistance from someone who lived in Canada for more than thirty years, and I started to work through the necessary immigration procedures. I feel very grateful for being led to Kinbrace. At first I thought that this home would only be a shelter where I could find protection from the cold of winter, a place where I could have a roof over my head. Little did I know what fortune awaited me.

I remember my first appointment at Kinbrace very well. I became speechless by the kind welcome that I received. From that moment on I saw a light at the end of the tunnel. At Kinbrace there is a tradition to give a cup with a HOPE inscription to Kinbrace residents who transition after their stay to more permanent housing. It seems a small and simple gesture but it carries within it the powerful message of HOPE! Hope is exactly what I felt after my first meeting at Kinbrace.

Soon after I received a key to my room and I thanked the Lord with all my heart. The next day I found a bag of fruit and a sign of welcome – a ritual for all new residents at Kinbrace. The same day, in the evening, a special dinner was held which I later learned was the “Tuesday Dinner”, another wonderful tradition at Kinbrace. The dinner is an opportunity for all friends and refugees to socialize and share. We also hold celebrations for birthdays, holidays and other special events. Tuesday’s dinner is where we greet the old inhabitants and receive the new with much enthusiasm.

I then spent three months living at Kinbrace, where I met many people from different parts of the world. We all had different reasons for leaving our home countries, and now found ourselves in the same boat. Everybody needed food, shelter, clothes, orientation and protection. Our new family at Kinbrace provided these for all of us.

Kinbrace also holds workshops for residents on immigration procedures, the health care system, preparation of taxes, banking information and housing assistance. Learning this allowed me to navigate Canadian systems with greater ease. However, the most important aspect for me was to find a strong and loving family whose shoulders I could cry on when I felt lost, and those with whom I could also share the joys along the way. It was significant when I received the positive news about my claim for refugee protection: I celebrated with everyone.

Kinbrace did everything that a family could do for me. They suffered and smiled with me. I now know that I am never alone in my new home.