Refugee & Newcomers Committee Update

As the year ends, the Refugee and Newcomers Committee at First Baptist continues to be active in its focus of supporting refugees who have recently arrived in Canada. In particular, the members remain very grateful for the support received from the congregation, especially in the form of gift cards and financial donations. We are excited to share some of our efforts this year as well as the growing independence of the families we support!

The Quieros Family
In April of 2023, the Quieros family, consisting of mother Gaby, daughter Ani, and grandmotherValentina, arrived in Nova Scotia. In bringing them from Venezuela, First Baptist partnered with a community-based group called RAISE. After being here for a year and a half, they have settled in well. Gaby married a fellow Venezuelan in August and First Baptist contributed by providing tables for the reception. Gaby has joined the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades and will receive training and employment. Gaby hopes to eventually become a safety inspector and will save to buy a home. The family has recently moved and is working hard.

The Nannyanga Family
Franc Nannyanga and her family, whom we have supported in partnership with the Rainbow Refugees of Nova Scotia, an organization that sponsors LBGT individuals fleeing persecution, are doing well. The family is composed of Franc and her three children three, Bridget, Patricia, and Denis. Franc has completed her CCA training and is now working full-time, with some extra shifts. Bridget has started at NSCC where she is completing LPN training while working part- time. Patrica and Denis remain in school and are doing well. Denis continues to excel in soccer.

Franc and her two younger children recently became Canadian citizens. She was fortunate, because of her Canadian passport, to travel home this fall, to visit her mother, whom she was not able to see for many years.

The Hussein and Adan Family
The committee’s main involvement continues to be with Khatro Hussein, her three boys, and her husband, Hassan Adan. After a long wait in Uganda, Hassan arrived more recently in Canada, just over a year ago. Khatro and her boys arrived earlier in the summer of 2019 and became Canadian citizens this past summer.

In late spring, the family moved from Dartmouth to Bedford into a much more spacious and comfortable apartment. The boys have settled into school there and Hassan works part-time for ISANS and drives for Uber. Khatro has recently begun working as a substitute Education Program Assistant (EPA). Hassan is seeking full-time employment. The family is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Khatro’s mother and brother to come from Kenya.

Khatro and Abdimajid in back and Abdirahman and Abdihafid in front.

Sponsorship Application
First Baptist’s sponsorship application to bring Abshira and Abdikadir, Khatro’s mother and brother, from Kenya is currently ongoing. Although there was notable progress last winter when the pair were seen by the High Commission in Kenya and approved to come, the political situation in the country deteriorated which has caused delays. This has had ramifications on the exit visa process resulting in Abshira and Abdikadir being stuck in Nairobi. A consequence is that they have not been eligible for United Nations support that they would otherwise receive in a refugee camp. Khatro and Hassan have supported Abshira and Abdikadir in Nairobi and the committee has contributed monthly gift cards to assist.

The committee recently received good news that Abshira and Abdikadir are in the process of having their biometrics processed and may arrive sometime in the coming year.

As the committee moves forward, we reflect on the year’s successes and challenges and thank the congregation for its support. These contributions have made tangible differences in the lives of these families.