In 2022, when 23-year-old Luwam Girmay Tesfay came to Canada with her mother and two younger siblings, she was excited to reunite with her older sister, who had been living in Abbotsford for the past three years. However, upon arriving, she realized that her sister also needed help.
“While we were still in Kenya, she worked and sent money for us. And when we got here, we saw that she was exhausted,” said Luwam. “She just stayed home and felt overwhelmed by all of the responsibilities on her shoulders.”
Luwam and her family quickly realized how hard it was to settle in a new country.
“It was very intimidating— the trains, the buses, the using of maps to get everywhere, going to doctor’s appointments– every single thing was new,” she said. “I had to take my mom everywhere, since she didn’t know English. My mother had appointments, my brother has Down’s syndrome, and my sister was working, so I was helping a lot.”
The family realized that they needed outside help. Through Saw Joe Teeshara, their case manager at DIVERSEcity Community Resources, Luwam and her family learned about the Welcome Group Program.
“Most of the time, we just stayed home, because we didn’t know what else to do other than go to appointments and church. But then, Saw Joe told us about Together Project, and that’s how we started meeting people, which was awesome, because we made some new friends.”
Luwam and her family were excited to connect with the group online.
“We had a WhatsApp group and they said that if we needed anything— from taking us to appointments, help with taking the driving test, or deciding on school stuff, we could ask them anything we wanted. So we just bombarded them with questions!”
Luwam and her siblings were eager to ask for help with navigating the education system.
“The questions that we had— me and my younger sister, who was going to high school back then— were a lot. At the time, I wasn’t going anywhere; I was done with high school and I didn’t know where to start— the difference between college and universities here, which programs— I didn’t know anything!”
Her sister, who was looking for help with college applications and resume editing, was also able to get the support she needed.
“The volunteer helping her was very consistent and kind,” Luwam said. “At first, we didn’t have many people to talk to. So even just chatting with us and stuff was really awesome. We really looked forward to those meetings!”
Luwam credits a Welcome Group volunteer for helping her mother with English lessons.
“Karen helped my mom with learning English every week. She literally gave her lessons and homework! I had to sit with her because sometimes my mom didn’t understand the words that Karen was saying, but I thought that the coolest part was that Karen would teach everything over Zoom.”
Karen’s help to the family extended to Luwam, as well.
“And after they would do their lessons, she would reach out to me and ask me what I needed to do. She taught me what colleges are, what universities are, what I needed to do to apply, and showed me this website, Education Planner. She informed me about everything, because she was in university at the time. I really benefited from this— and it was all over the phone!”
Through the Welcome Group, Luwam was also able to find out about her own volunteer opportunities.
“Karen also told me about applying for volunteer positions. She said that if I volunteer and get firsthand experience in Canada, it would be valuable for applying for jobs.”
Luwam began volunteering at a local nursing home, and then as a receptionist at DIVERSEcity.
“Every Friday, I help with recreation activities, I have one-on-one talks with elders, I take them to watch movies, I take them out to the garden for walks. It’s so much fun. They have special events too like summer barbecues, and that’s when everybody gathers. Music is therapy for them— who can music not touch? It just made me fall in love even more with the healthcare field.”
Luwam’s long-term goal is to work in healthcare, and she credits her Welcome Group with helping her choose her post-secondary pathway.
“Before I actually applied to Douglas College, Karen told me everything about the colleges and what my options were. We looked at SFU, UBC, Langara, Douglas, and we even looked at private schools for practical nursing programs, and she told me the difference between public and private schools. She told me everything so that I could decide where I needed to go. She gave me all of the knowledge that I needed.”
Luwam is excited for all that is to come. “Back home, I was doing clinical medicine, and I was going to be a physician’s assistant. But here in Canada, next fall, God willing, I’ll be a university student!”
Luwam’s advice for newcomers in the Welcome Group Program is that they shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to the volunteers.
“There were times when we had some questions, but we felt like we were being a burden— like maybe they were going to work and they were busy. But now that I’ve become a volunteer in the care home, I realize that this is what we’re lovingly there for. Ask your questions, make them your friends— don’t be scared to ask for anything.”
For potential volunteers, Luwam’s advice is to approach refugee newcomers with kindness.
“For new volunteers, I would say, just be kind, because everybody’s coming from different backgrounds. They may have different upbringings— and difficult ones— so just be kind to them. You can also encourage them to speak and make them realize that they’re not being a burden. Just be kind and understanding.”
Luwam’s experience with the Welcome Group Program continues today, as she gets ready to present alongside Together Project and DIVERSEcity staff at the upcoming Pathways to Prosperity conference in Vancouver.
As a representative of newcomer youth in the Welcome Group Program, Luwam is excited to share her story about how the volunteers were able to help her family.
“Together Project just makes the newcomers’ lives easier,” she said. “What you guys are doing, it should keep continuing— every newcomer would appreciate guidance and support when they first arrive, because they’re just lost. A little light along the way is super helpful.”
