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P.A. refugee students grateful for warmer temps

Jan 17, 2018 | 4:00 PM

The cold snap appears to have finally snapped for Prince Albert and no one may be happier to see that than those who were not born in this province or even this country.

Cedric Ndabunguye, 17, grew up in the Congo and has only lived in Canada for four years with his family. He said when he first moved to Canada, he had no idea where Saskatchewan even was, nevermind what the winters would be like.

“The first time I saw the snow I didn’t even want to go outside,” he said.

Ndabunguye is now in his senior year at Carlton High School and has made lots of new friends through playing basketball and football. He admits though he may never fully get used to his new home.

“No one gets used to it, even Canadians tell me, it’s pretty cold for them too,” he said.

Thaer Al Othman, 14, moved to Prince Albert from Syria two years ago. He said the adjustment in a new country was a big change.

“When we come I had to learn I had to change for the weather,” he said, adding his family was quick to stock up on toques and mitts.

Much like Ndobunguye, Al Othman said he too had no idea where Saskatchewan was or what the conditions would be like, but he has learned from his friends to just take it all in stride.

“When it’s -40 C I don’t go outside a lot, I just stay at home and like if I need to go out, I just make myself feel not very cold and I just go outside,” he said.

According to Environment Canada, the high on Thursday could reach plus 2C. Temperatures will cool off again on Friday but will still remain above average. The average high for mid-January is -13.4 C while the average low is -25.6 C.

 

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell