Former immigrant ready to help out refugees

For the past eight years, she has worked at the YWCA settlement centre, giving back to people in the same situation.

When she moved, she said there was no one to show her the simple things, like how to use the bus or go to the bank. Now, their division works to help recent immigrants any way they can.

“From day one, we organize everything for them,” said Hamid. “I missed years and years before I knew anything, that’s why I work with newcomers.”

Originally from Sudan, Hamid and her husband –a journalist by trade—had to flee after writing about the regime in their country. They lived in Egypt for 22 years before they had to move to Canada.

At the beginning, Hamid said her and her husband each worked three jobs. At 4 a.m., they delivered newspapers door-to-door for over 200 families. Later in the day, her husband worked security.

Now, he’s employed at Carlton Comprehensive Public High School as a tutor.

Hamid said it was tough for their children in the beginning, getting a good grasp of the language and going to school.

When they first settled in Prince Albert, their youngest was only five-years-old. Now, he’s in his second year at the University of Saskatchewan, and all his siblings have already finished their education.

“After a while, the kids were really fast at learning English,” she said. “They made friends and it was awesome.”

Having gone through the process, Hamid said she’s looking forward to helping the Syrian refugees when they come to Prince Albert.

She plans to help newcomers get a Saskatchewan driver’s license, and take each family through every aisle at the grocery store.

“We have to help them…We have to give them a hand until they feel comfortable,” she said. “The first year is very, very hard for them. Especially the winter. After one year, it’s much better.”

–With files from Nigel Maxwell.

asoloducha@panow.com

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha

by Alex Soloducha

Former immigrant ready to help out refugees

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