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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2016-06-29, Page 66 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, June 29, 2016 A falling out between Ethiopian refugees and their sponsor fig Shaun Gregory Huron Expositor There have been rather quieted conversations revolving around the Ethio- pian refugee family that had been welcomed to Seaforth, it's as if their limelight is non-existent or simply the family of five packed up and moved elsewhere. The Expositor has learned of quarrels between them and their sponsorship group and that the two parties have parted ways. Ambiya, and her four chil- dren Ahmed, Yusuf, Fatuma and Sayida were seen around town walking with smiles, playing in snow that was more than foreign to them and creating friend- ships with fellow classmates while attending St. James Catholic School. From the outside looking in it was a picture perfect story. On a small scale, the community of Seaforth with the guidance of the Melody - Powers Seaforth Refugee Sponsorship Group ran by Brian Melady helped to change the world -the humanitarian endeavor was deemed a success. Instead of a refugee camp as their address, which only had scarce amounts of food to replenish their hungry bod- ies, they were given a home to rest with a fridge full of food to eat at their disposal. Melady thought the lan- guage barrier might be diffi- cult for Ambiya, as well as leaving friends and family behind. To Band-Aid the stresses of settling in a new country to the best of their ability, the humanitarian group said they worked around the clock to suit their needs, however it was just not enough. Here is the top four "great- est difficulties" new immi- grants face in their first four years of arrival. Close to 46 percent are not able to find a I think the mom was just overwhelmed by the language barrier, isolation and not being in her own culture," — said Cathy Elliott, president of the Lions Club in Seaforth, while also mentioning her non-profit organization donated $1,000 to the family sufficient place of employ- ment, 26 percent struggle with learning English, adjusting to the climate also is troubling with roughly 16 per cent facing this dilemma and lastly, 13 per cent find themselves yearning for the support they had in their homeland, according to Sta- tistics Canada. Melady said a large portion of this data is what subsequently influ- enced the family to seek ref- uge abroad along with pres- sure from friends, family members and so on. iils11:1 "When they see all these wonderful pictures, every time they are talking to the (people back home), every- one wants a little piece," explained Melady in a dis- cussion at the FX You hair spa in Seaforth June 21. "I compare it to when you see somebody going to an all- inclusive resort in Mexico around the world, you see these pictures on Facebook." "All the food and all the fresh water, you can't help but ask to be there with them and if you can't be there with them you (ask), do you think you can bring me some?" Landing on Canadian boundaries January 21, the Afar speaking Ethiopians decided to cut their stay short in Seaforth two months ago and move to Clinton with the second Ethiopian family that was also once sponsored by Melady's char- itable cause. Melady went on to say that Immigration Canada or whom he calls the "bureaucrats'; the agreement holder, and the Mennonite Central Committee "stepped in:' The end result of this is that the Clinton Christian Reformed Church has taken over the responsibilities for the pair of Ethiopian refugee families. 'The only rights they don't have is they cannot vote yet, they can't hold public office or have high security clear- ance possessions," Melady said. "Other than that, Ambiya had the exact same right to make any decision any adult can do here" Being a former teacher, Cathy Elliott, President of the Lions Club in Seaforth thought she could instill those skills by helping her learn to cook, shop and all the other important things that go hand-in-hand of being a functioning Cana- dian citizen. "I think the mom was just overwhelmed by the lan- guage barrier, isolation and not being in her own cul- ture," Elliott said while also mentioning her non-profit organization donated $1,000 to the family. "There is no guarantee each one is going to work out. All these people are individuals and they all have their own histories. They all have their own skill sets, it's hard to know until they actu- ally get here." Vicki Powers, who's also part of the humanitarian effort in Seaforth said although the outcome was not what was expected, between the two families eight lives were saved for the better. "I think we accomplished what we wanted to accom- plish," she said. "These peo- ple have a chance at a new life. One thing I think we all maybe have lost sight of is the fact that whether they are living in Seaforth or somewhere else, they have control over what they do with that life." The Melody -Powers Sea - forth Refugee Sponsorship Group raised about $12,000- $13,000 in their aiding organi- zation and according to Mel- ady there is about $7,000 which is being held by the Mennonite Central Commit- tee. He has recently requested that money go towards the Syrian refugee sponsorship that has been put together by the Egmondville United Church. Currently as it stands, the organization has not responded back. "The money was raised by our community for a refugee in our community," stated Melady, who also said if the funds are put forth, it's pos- sible a second refugee family may make an appearance. Shaun Gregory Ambiya and her two daughters eating food at their Welcome to Seaforth Benefit Breakfast on February 21. They have currently left the Melody -Powers Seaforth Refugee Sponsorship Group and are now being supported by the Clinton Christian Reformed Church. LJflJRC'H You are invited to attend these area churches ST. THOMAS ANGLICAN 21 hO Office 519-527-1522 Church Office 519-527-1522 holyspiritQtcc.on.ca Rev. Shaun Eaton - Deacon -in -Charge Sunday July 3 Anniversary Sunday Worship at 9:30am Eve one Welcome EGMONDVILLE UNITED CHURCH NO WORSHIP July 3rd Kids in the Kitchen - Aug 15-19, 9am-noon Fee $20 per child, only 18 accepted Contact Theresa Kolkman tess.1972@tcc.on.ca Everyone Welcome For more information view our website www.egmondvilleunitedchurch.com El i BETHEL BIBLE CHURCH An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Interim Pastor: Rev. Laurie Morris July 3 - 10 am "The Church As God's Temple" (Note time change) July 10 -10 am "Why Study 1 John?" Wednesday June 29 Bible Study - 7 pm Manor Service - 2 pmSunday bEVERYONE WELCOME FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 59 Goderich St. W. Seaforth 519-527-0170 Lorrie Mann - Organist Sunday Worship July 3 -11 am Guest Speaker: Dorothy Henderson School (5...Nursery Provided as Needed ALL WELCOME iils11:1 "When they see all these wonderful pictures, every time they are talking to the (people back home), every- one wants a little piece," explained Melady in a dis- cussion at the FX You hair spa in Seaforth June 21. "I compare it to when you see somebody going to an all- inclusive resort in Mexico around the world, you see these pictures on Facebook." "All the food and all the fresh water, you can't help but ask to be there with them and if you can't be there with them you (ask), do you think you can bring me some?" Landing on Canadian boundaries January 21, the Afar speaking Ethiopians decided to cut their stay short in Seaforth two months ago and move to Clinton with the second Ethiopian family that was also once sponsored by Melady's char- itable cause. Melady went on to say that Immigration Canada or whom he calls the "bureaucrats'; the agreement holder, and the Mennonite Central Committee "stepped in:' The end result of this is that the Clinton Christian Reformed Church has taken over the responsibilities for the pair of Ethiopian refugee families. 'The only rights they don't have is they cannot vote yet, they can't hold public office or have high security clear- ance possessions," Melady said. "Other than that, Ambiya had the exact same right to make any decision any adult can do here" Being a former teacher, Cathy Elliott, President of the Lions Club in Seaforth thought she could instill those skills by helping her learn to cook, shop and all the other important things that go hand-in-hand of being a functioning Cana- dian citizen. "I think the mom was just overwhelmed by the lan- guage barrier, isolation and not being in her own cul- ture," Elliott said while also mentioning her non-profit organization donated $1,000 to the family. "There is no guarantee each one is going to work out. All these people are individuals and they all have their own histories. They all have their own skill sets, it's hard to know until they actu- ally get here." Vicki Powers, who's also part of the humanitarian effort in Seaforth said although the outcome was not what was expected, between the two families eight lives were saved for the better. "I think we accomplished what we wanted to accom- plish," she said. "These peo- ple have a chance at a new life. One thing I think we all maybe have lost sight of is the fact that whether they are living in Seaforth or somewhere else, they have control over what they do with that life." The Melody -Powers Sea - forth Refugee Sponsorship Group raised about $12,000- $13,000 in their aiding organi- zation and according to Mel- ady there is about $7,000 which is being held by the Mennonite Central Commit- tee. He has recently requested that money go towards the Syrian refugee sponsorship that has been put together by the Egmondville United Church. Currently as it stands, the organization has not responded back. "The money was raised by our community for a refugee in our community," stated Melady, who also said if the funds are put forth, it's pos- sible a second refugee family may make an appearance. Shaun Gregory Ambiya and her two daughters eating food at their Welcome to Seaforth Benefit Breakfast on February 21. They have currently left the Melody -Powers Seaforth Refugee Sponsorship Group and are now being supported by the Clinton Christian Reformed Church.