Bowen’s greatest attribute is its community.
We value how fundamental community is to our sense of wellbeing, safety and connectedness to the world.
Islanders have made community a collective priority. It is perhaps because of this shared outlook that when the Syrian refugee crisis was at its peak in December 2015, Islanders felt a call to action.
Through the 30/30 Project, Bowen came together in the spirit of community to raise the funds to sponsor a Syrian family.
On a cold, rainy, night in March 2017, the Ali family touched down in Vancouver and took the first steps into their new life in Canada.
While Bowen’s community is mighty, its infrastructure is not. The 30/30 Project partnered with the refugee committee based out of St. Andrews-Wesley who walked alongside the Ali family during their first year in Canada.
The family says that at times it was overwhelming and stressful; at other times it was simply joyous.
Supporting their emotional and practical needs during the process of resettlement was complex.
Children attended school for the first time and adults took on the daunting task of learning new skills and a new language while immersing themselves into a new city filled with different customs.
Our healthcare, banking, settlement, transportation and housing, services all needed to be navigated.
The Ali family came to Bowen to mark their first Thanksgiving in Canada. During the meal, a family member shared with the table her family’s deep gratitude to entire community of Bowen Island.
The family member said: “Today we are all gathered to celebrate one of the many new customs that we love in our new homeland. Thank you for uniting us. Thank you for putting peacefulness in our minds, soul and heart.”
The one-year sponsorship of the family concluded this March.
Due to the tremendous hard work of both the Ali family and the refugee committee of St. Andrews-Wesley, they are now self-sufficient and no longer require financial support.
Some members of the family have found meaningful work, while others are utilizing the opportunity to continue their education. The relationship and connection doesn’t end, however; they will continue to receive support and guidance as their new life in Canada unfolds.
They are at the beginning of their family’s story of how they became Canadians. Thank you Bowen for enabling this chapter to be written.
