Iraq to Canada

The Hakem family finds a home



This Iraqi family of four arrived in Canada September 2016. They had been asked whether they wanted to be sponsored by the government of Canada or a group of Canadians purposely formed to help refugees and the father Hareth said; “Whichever will get us there quicker!” The answer was a citizen group so that is what they chose. As Marwa the mother says now it was such a piece of good luck for them. Ten people from the FACES group were standing at the bottom of the escalator at the Ottawa airport smiling at them and she says it made all the difference. Marwa wanted to be quoted on this subject.

“The most important thing for newcomers is to feel welcome. You have come though war, threats of violence and have been waiting for such a long time to start your new life. Everything, absolutely everything, is so new it is scary. So, to have a friendly group meeting you and helping you through your first year…well I wish all refugees could start their life in Canada this way.”

They left Iraq for Turkey precipitously in 2013 after Hareth refused to do something deeply corrupt in his workplace in the customs office. He was given a warning and when he refused a second time three armed men accosted him and pointed a gun at his sons. They told Hareth the kids would be shot if he did not cooperate. He rushed home and he and Marwa packed a few things and they disappeared for two weeks as they waited to get a passport for their youngest son. Then, with the help of family, they fled to Turkey leaving behind everything they had, and the only life they had ever known.

In Turkey they were not allowed to get jobs so they scraped by for three long years with donations from family. They frequently had to take seven-hour bus rides to go to the UNHCR office and the Canadian Embassy for applications, interviews and medical checks. Marwa said she would sit at her computer hour after hour refreshing the page hoping for news. Finally it came.

Both Marwa and Hareth have university degrees. Hareth spoke little English. Subsequently he worked at Tim Hortons, Uber, Uber Eats and then got his Canadian high school diploma and learned English at the adult high school. Marwa (who says she learned English from watching movies and ignoring the subtitles!) now works at the Ottawa Hospital, having paid for training to become a lab technician. For the time being Hareth is doing hospital lab deliveries part time and the two of them try their best to juggle the schedules of their two boys Fahad and Zaid who have just finished grade six and four. They are working hard on their skills and knowledge to get an opportunity to work in the government sector so that they can secure their kids' future.

They are a lovely couple who are always laughing and smiling, and it was a pleasure helping them get established here. They have since put in a lot of hard work and they appreciate that in Canada efforts yield results! They have managed to rent a townhouse off Innes Road where there are playground areas nearby and the boys have made friends. Recently Marwa and Hareth were thrilled to pass the citizenship test and are now full-fledged Canadians. Marwa was disappointed that it was not in person, so as the attached photo attests, she created a celebratory Canadian party atmosphere around her desk for the moment she took her vows.

Now their fondest wish is to experience camping in the woods and eventually a holiday at a cottage so that they feel truly Canadian!

By Marjorie George

FACES Community Representative and Volunteer

PICTURED ABOVE – Marwa celebrating her Canadian Citizenship in her decorated office after a remote ceremony.