In June of 2016, Yemane Teklemichael, his wife Mibrak Teka and their son Sam Tessagerish arrived in Boissevain. Originally from Eritrea, they came to town with sponsorship from the Boissevain Resettlement Committee. With their original funding help coming to an end, the committee is looking back at what has been a very successful transition.
“They’re doing great,” said committee member Heather Goertzen. “It has been a really good year. They are way further along than we thought. We just didn’t know what would happen when they came because we never did this before.”
The committee was started in 2015 to help bring a refugee family to Boissevain with help from the government and non-governmental organizations. Eventually, they were able to settle on the current family and bring them over.
The family had been in Sudan for quite a while – Yemane since 2010, having left Eritrea for a number of reasons. Having arrived last year, they had to get used to living in Canada. Goertzen said they did very well.
“We’re really proud of what they’ve accomplished this year. They are really great ambassadors for their people.”
For one thing, Yemane has been working part time at Ag Quest since August. This has helped them pay back the Canadian government in full for the travel and medical expenses, a real achievement this early in the game. They are driving and have a van. Although they had education in Eritrea, they were required to complete their grade 12 here, and are on schedule to do that this June. They are heavily involved with the Ethiopian Orthodox Church in Brandon. Not insignificantly, they survived their first Manitoba winter.
“And it wasn’t an easy one either! It was a pretty intense winter.”
Perhaps their most important moment was on January 4, when they welcomed their son Noah into the world.
Goertzen said the family has integrated well into the community, meeting people and not shying away. The committee has been impressed with their curiosity and interest in everything, their desire to become independent. She said they came with fairly good English and it has improved all the time. It has been very rewarding for all involved.
“We are thrilled that the family is choosing to stay in Boissevain for their foreseeable future dreams of pursuing higher education,” said Goertzen.
“It has been very rich, for all of us involved with them. We appreciated what they have brought to the community. It has been a really good experience.”
In fact, it is an experience they want to have again. The committee is looking to connect again with the Mennonite Central Committee and Canada’s Blended Visa program to bring another family to town. They have put in a preference for another group from the same region, in part because Yemane and Mibrak are willing to help them resettle. Hopes are a new family can join the community in the coming year.
The committee is also pursuing private sponsorships for Yemane’s brother and wife, who are currently separated in refugee camps in Israel and Ethiopia. That is expected to take 2-5 years.
As well, Goertzen said they are looking to become a resource for law enforcement and government officials in regards to the ongoing refugee crisis flowing from the US across Manitoba’s borders.
“We just want to be helpful to the officials there if we can.”
The committee also received its charitable status, so they can now take donations directly.
Goertzen said despite the fact their commitment to the current family is over, they will continue to be engaged with them, just as they continue to be engaged with Boissevain. Yemane and Mibrak deeply appreciate the opportunity they were given, as shown by their statement.
“We would like to add this. All achievements are by the help of the resettlement committee and other friends. We love the people of Boissevain and we would like to thank you for all your kindness and generosity. Hope we will reach our goals and do the same thing for others.”
by PAUL RAYNER, Recorder staff
Photos by ANNA LATIMER, Recorder staff