In early January 2023, Pictou County Safe Harbour submitted applications to sponsor 2 new families. Both applications are for the family members of some of our existing newcomers.
The first refugee family is currently living in Kenya but is originally from Rwanda. They are the parents and two adult brothers of Bahati Maganjo.
Bahati arrived in Pictou County in the Summer of 2021 through the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot Project, now a permanent pathway for immigration to Canada. Bahati began her future here by working at Glen Haven Manor. At the time of writing this update, Bahati will soon be sitting her qualifying exams to become a Registered Nurse in Nova Scotia.
Bahati and her husband Sean will partner with Safe Harbour volunteers in assisting her family as they resettle in Pictou County.
The second refugee family recently fled Syria and are currently living in Egypt as their application is being processed. This family of three, two parents and a small child, are direct relatives to Shrouk Alrawashdeh who arrived in New Glasgow with her husband and three children in October 2018.
Shrouk is an EAL specialist teacher with the Chignecto Central Regional School Board and works directly with many newcomer children and families in the district who require support in learning English. Like Bahati, Shrouk and her family will be “hands on” in assisting her sister, brother-in-law and niece.
Safe Harbour is excited to be sponsors for both Bahati’s and Shrouk’s families. It is all about building community!
So, when will we see families arriving?
On their website, Immigration Refugee Citizenship Canada says:
How quickly we can process applications also depends on:
- how many applications we get
- security in the region and
- how quickly we can complete requirements such as security screening and medical exams.
Safe Harbour’s experience has been anywhere from 1 ½-3 years waiting. In the meantime, we hope to rebuild our volunteer base and begin educating and preparing volunteers.
Come aboard and join us!