Hayat

Author’s Note: name has been changed for the safety of the individual sharing their experience.

Hayat originated from Eritrea, a small country in the horn of Africa that is under a totalitarian regime. He had an exceedingly difficult life due to a lack of job opportunities—what jobs he could find involved farming, but they paid little to nothing and reduced his ability to support his family.

The lack of opportunity finally pushed him to leave, which meant walking to neighbouring Ethiopia. Walking such a distance was exceedingly risky, with the potential of animal attacks, injury, and more. Unfortunately, he also had to leave his family behind, seeking something better so that his family could prosper.

When he finally arrived in Ethiopia, he spent some time in a camp, before leaving to walk to Sudan, and then to Libya. Libya provided a long coast in the Mediterranean Sea, so Hayat and others decided to try and make the dangerous boat crossing to Italy. After twenty hours on the sea, they were found and sent back to Libya. Hayat and others spent almost two years hiding and being unable to go out—however, hope came when the United Nations found them.

The United Nations rented them a house away from the capital for several months before moving them to Rwanda. It was there that Hayat was admitted to Canada after spending almost five years on the run.

Hayat is happy to be in Canada, and is grateful for the support from Settlement Services, which has enabled him to settle into a new home and take English. He is hoping to find employment soon, so that he can bring his wife and daughter to Canada and they can be reunited.