A new immigrant family is finding their way in Red Deer and learning anything is possible in Canada.
Saliha Nabizada and her children –– Ali Raza Alizada and Aziza Alizada –– fled Afghanistan after her husband was killed by the Taliban about 10 years ago.
They crossed the border into Pakistan where they lived until they came to Red Deer in June 2010.
Frank Bauer, a volunteer co-ordinator with Central Alberta Refugee Effort (C.A.R.E.), said the family comes to mind when he thinks of successful immigrant stories.
“They are just so happy and so grateful of the opportunities in the community,” said Bauer, who immigrated in 2009 from The Netherlands.
“Their first choice would be to be back in Afghanistan like most refugees but it looks like they found their place and want to make the best of their life here.
“There’s lots of opportunities.”
All three family members are improving their English language skills daily either at C.AR.E. or through other community programs.
Ali Raza, 21, works at a pizza shop and one day hopes to become a police officer.
“Canada is good for the family,” said Al Raza. “We have no problems with the police or the government... We are happy here.”
The 21-year-old says neither he nor his sister would have had the same opportunities if they stayed in Pakistan or even Afghanistan.
He said they did not have enough money to attend school in Pakistan.
“Now (my sister) is happy because she is at school and working.”
Aziza, 19, is in Grade 12 at Lindsay Thurber Comprehensive High School and works part-time at a grocery store. She has her sights on becoming either a nurse or a doctor.
“People are so nice here,” she said. “I miss my friends (in Pakistan) but I have new friends at Lindsay Thurber.”
Saliha, who is in her 40s, said she loves the Red Deer community but she misses her eldest son who went missing at the time they fled their homeland.
She hopes one day to find him and bring him to Red Deer.
In the meantime, Saliha is active in the C.A.R.E. programs for newcomers and improving her command of the English classes language.
There are about 50 other families from Afghanistan in Central Alberta. C.A.R.E. has helped thousands of newcomers to Canada since 1979. To find out more visit http://www.intentr.com/immigrantctr/
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com
— copyright Red Deer Advocate