The Hussein Family
Riyad with Abdulkadar, Navda and Lava
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Riyad Hussein and his family arrived in Ottawa in February 2016. After fleeing from Syria, they lived in Turkey for four years before a journalist heard their story and helped them apply to come to Canada through the United Nations resettlement program.
Before the war, Riyad and his wife, Nessrin Ahmood, lived in the city of Qamishli, in northern Syria, with their children Abdulkadar and Navda, both of whom are disabled.
“I was working in farming in summer, and in winter, I had a shop selling fish,” shares Riyad. “After the war started, I couldn’t find medication for my children.”
“We escaped to Turkey through a fence. We were so scared until we got there — it took us three days to escape,” says Riyad. The family made the journey with the help of smugglers, who charged them a lot of money.
In Turkey, Riyad struggled to find housing and a job, but they managed. “There were no organizations to take care of us, but the Turkish government was OK in terms of doctors and medication,” he says.
Seeing no future for his family in Turkey, Riyad applied for a visa to Germany. “I paid 4000 Turkish lira for the visa,” says Riyad, the equivalent of several months’ expenses for the family. “The application was rejected and we lost the money.”
Later, Riyad met a journalist in Mardin, Turkey, who went to a local official and shared the Hussein family’s story.
“They registered us with the United Nations and we were approved to come to Canada,” says Riyad. “Since we arrived, my children are much better than before. We received medical care, financial support and everything we needed, thank God.”
The Hussein family started life in Ottawa at Maison Sophia, which many people know by its former name, Reception House. “Since we arrived here, everything was strange for us. Everything was unfamiliar,” says Riyad. “But the welcoming of the Canadian government and the Canadian people … it just was a warm welcome. I was surprised. Everybody was helpful and trying to help.”
When we came to Canada there was no difference between people. It doesn’t matter if you’re Kurdish or Syrian or coming from China or any place in the world. Everybody is equal. I hope we can settle down here and live for the rest of my life in Canada.
Not long after arriving, Nessrin gave birth to the family’s third child, a daughter named Lava. Abdulkadar and Navda are now in school for the first time in their lives. “Abdulkadar was in school for only two months in Syria when he had a seizure and had to be taken to hospital. After that, he was not allowed to return to school,” explains Riyad. The school system in Syria was not equipped to work with children with disabilities. “Here in Canada they love the activities at school, especially swimming and playing outdoors. They love it so much that they dislike their days off,” adds Riyad. He and Nessrin are taking English classes.
At the time of the interview, there was severe flooding in the Ottawa area. Many homes were underwater and locals were pitching in to help with filling sandbags, including many newcomers from Syria. Riyad was one of them. “I try to answer every call I get to volunteer,” says Riyad. “I saw a lot of hardship when I was in Turkey, and a lot of times there was nothing I could do to help. So, every opportunity I get to help, I do not shy away from it.” Riyad also volunteers at the Chinese Community Centre, where he helps promote events and workshops for newcomers to Canada.
Like many refugees, regardless of country of origin, Riyad suffers the heartache of being separated from close relatives. One of his brothers, Mohammad, and his wife and two children, also applied to come to Canada. The family was due to travel at the same time, but they were held back due to complications in their paperwork. After more than a year of waiting, Riyad is thrilled that his brother is due to arrive in late June. “I still cannot believe it,” he says. “There are no words to describe how I feel since I got the news.” Riyad has been busy preparing for the family’s arrival. “I will be helping to get them settled in their new home, getting them registered to attend workshops, and just showing them around the city,” he says.
“We came from a Kurdish background, and that meant the government didn’t treat us well in Syria or in Turkey,” says Riyad. “When we came to Canada there was no difference between people. It doesn’t matter if you’re Kurdish or Syrian or coming from China or any place in the world. Everybody is equal. I hope we can settle down here and live for the rest of my life in Canada.”
