Inverness County Welcomes Refugees Resettlement Project

When things finally started to happen, they happened quickly. After weeks, months, even years, when our refugee resettlement project seemed to be moving at a snail’s pace, suddenly, in September, we received word from our contact at the Canadian Department of Immigration that the International Office of Migration had issued tickets for the Kalley family to come to Halifax from Banjul in The Gambia. They said that usually when it reaches this stage, the refugees could arrive within two weeks. Although it still seemed hard to believe, the Committee met and reviewed plans for meeting the refugee family in Halifax and settling them in Port Hood. A list of items needed to set up housekeeping was drawn up and divided among the parishes and pastoral charges to which the Committee members belonged.

Donald, Christiana and Israel (16 months) arrived on October 2 and, after staying overnight in Halifax so they could meet with the appropriate Government departments to be registered, they came to Judique where they stayed at the Ojoleck’s. Within a day or so, it appeared that Christiana might be going into labour, so she was admitted to Inverness Consolidated Hospital. Things settled down, however, so she was discharged from hospital and went to the apartment in Port Hood, where the donated items had been put away and things were ready for their arrival. It was about a week until Christiana was admitted to St. Martha’s, and on Saturday, October 14, Donalda Isatta Kalley was born.

Committee members are helping the Kalleys to get acquainted with their new environment. One way is by bringing them to Church. They have been to St. Mark’s twice, on October 29 and November 19, and they are scheduled to go to St. David’s on November 26. They have also been to St. Peter’s in Port Hood and St. Andrew’s in Judique. Donald is taking driving lessons and is exploring job prospects. His education and experience are mostly in surveying and Civil Engineering, and he has computer experience and has educated himself in Autocad. For the moment, Christiana may have her hands full with two small children, but she has taken courses in accounting and has expressed an interest in becoming a nurse.

A budget has been drawn up to cover living expenses and cash is being allocated to Donald and Christiana from donations to the Refugee Fund. They may be eligible for some government social benefits, which could slow the rate at which the Refugee Fund is drawn down. As yet, we can only guess at which social benefits may be applicable and how much money this will entail. The cost of the driving lessons falls outside this budget, and has been covered by a directed donation to the Refugee Fund.

Dave Chapman