If you had ten minutes to prepare before fleeing your home, how would you spend your time
Participants at a Tisdale information session had to ask themselves this question, making the choice between essentials like water, passports, medication, food, blankets and money.
“I must have a bias or preconceived notion, because it never dawned on me that we’d be fleeing Saskatchewan,” said Betty Bauhuis, who chose water and food. “I thought I was in a country that was already warm and doesn’t have enough water.”
Bauhuis was among a dozen people who sat in on an information session about refugee sponsorship Feb. 28.
The session, hosted by Northeast Newcomer Services, featured a presentation by Anthony Olusola from the Saskatchewan Association of Immigrant Settlement and Integration Agencies.
“No one is a refugee by choice, and anyone can become a refugee,” said Olusola.
The Saskatoon-based speaker explained how a group would go about privately sponsoring a refugee family, from the planning to the fundraising to welcoming the family into the community.
Olusola noted that he always recommends the services of a cultural interpreter, who can read between the lines and ensure the family communicates their needs effectively.
He also said that he encourages integration over assimilation.
“When you assimilate, what’s happening to me is I’m being stripped of all that I may have, all that is mine, and I’m just taking on all that is my new community. But when I integrate, we’re blending together – part of mine, part of yours, and we’re working together.”
Groups of five people, communities and sponsorship agreement holders (like churches) can sponsor recognized refugees from anywhere in the world.
The costs vary according to type of refugee and family size. For instance, 12 months of income support and start-up costs would add up to $27,000 for a family of four.
At the end of the presentation, many participants agreed to meet again to discuss future steps, with Anja Kapeller from Newcomer Services offering their room as a meeting space.
“I think we can do it, but it’s going to take some meetings and it’s going to take some organization,” said Andy Renaud, who was present on behalf of the Knights of Columbus alongside Leroy Bader.
“I think [Tisdale] is a community that can do it, because it has a lot of support, like the Newcomer Services for instance, but there’s a lot of work ahead if we’re going to consider it,” Renaud said. “I really believe it’s our duty. We have it pretty good here.”
“I think I have a better appreciation for the processes that we need to go through and I think a lot of work ahead. But as in all things – many hands make the work lighter,” said Bauhuis.
Anyone interested in participating in future meetings can get in touch with Northeast Newcomer Services.
