Escaping War and Seeking Safety
We moved from Ethiopia after the civil war started in Khartoum, Sudan. Our journey from conflict to hope was driven by the need to save our lives. Unfortunately, for a time, things became worse. The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) refugee camp we were in was located within the war zone, where two tribes were fighting each other. Additionally, this region was also where the Ethiopian government and the Fano opposition party were engaged in conflict.
We faced many challenges, including the loss of friends, and the severe shortage of necessities such as food, shelter, medical supplies, clean water, and security. Many people lost their lives due to these hardships. When we arrived in Canada, we carried with us significant trauma.
Advocating for Refugee Rights
I (Adhanom) served as the representative of the refugees to the UNHCR, and the Refugee Returnees Service (RRS) of Ethiopia. My role involved advocating for the rights of refugees, which led to intimidation and repeated warnings. We were fortunate to escape and find a new beginning.
Arriving in Canada and Finding Support
We moved to Canada in December 2023. The first place we turned to for information was Surrey Libraries. We love reading, and recognize the importance of connecting with people. Through the library, we were introduced to several community support organizations, including:
- WorkBC
- Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS) Society
- DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society
- Umoja
- MOSAIC
We also took various short courses to help us adapt to life in Canada, such as:
- Intercultural Skills to Success
- Food Safety
- First Aid
- Basic Computer Literacy
- Job Searching Skills
- Home Safety
- Financial Literacy
Becoming Library Champions
During this time, we learned about the Library Champions Project. It became our ambition to be involved in helping others learn about free community resources. We were amazed by the wide range of activities at Surrey Public Libraries. You can’t underestimate the library’s role in educating and connecting people. Our favourite aspect is the commitment to learning — ignorance is the worst enemy, and we encourage everyone to use libraries as the main source of information and connection.
Building Connections and Seeking Employment
We are sociable and adaptable to any situation, and whenever we get a chance to meet people we exchange our contact numbers. We like to ask questions in different workshops or at events. It’s important to use that opportunity to make connections with others that can help us in our daily activities.
Currently, we are both looking for jobs related to our careers and community support work as we continue our journey from conflict to hope.
I (Adhanom) hold a BA degree in Education, with a major in Educational Administration and a minor in Educational Psychology. My professional background includes teaching in various private schools in Asmara, Eritrea. They include Dembe Sembel Elementary, Middle, and Secondary School, Finnish Mission Elementary and Middle School, and Rainbow International School. Later, I became a Team Leader. Alongside teaching, I served the Lord in the church, which led to persecution for my Christian faith. This triggered me to leave my home country and move to Sudan in July 2014. In Sudan, I continued contributing to the community by becoming the School Director of the Hope of Eritrea Refugee School in Khartoum.
I (Elsa) graduated with an Advanced Diploma in Library and Information Studies. From 2006 to 2016, I worked as a librarian in the Ministry of Tourism, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and a private international school. I started the Rainbow International School Library from scratch. My job was to collect and organize books, classify them, and I also implemented a modern computerized system. As well, I also worked as a library teacher, helping students develop reading and reporting skills. After leaving my home country in 2016, I moved to Sudan and taught at the Hope of Eritrea Refugee School in Khartoum. After having children, I focused on giving care to my kids at home.
Embracing Opportunities in Canada
Moving to Canada has been a blessing. Here, we have an opportunity to further our education and experience a society built on peace, security, equality, and democracy. Our message to newcomers is simple: invest in learning, and you will reap the rewards. If there is a will, there is a way. Life is a journey filled with ups and downs, but with vision and determination, you will achieve your goals.
Hopes and Dreams for the Future
Our hopes and dreams are to see the community we live in thrive. We want future generations to contribute to building Canada, a country where democracy and human dignity flourish. The democracy and dignity of man that we are enjoying now are the result of the hard work of those who came before us. The diversity of the community here is beautiful, and we are excited to be part of it.