Faridah Nankya and her three girls are eternally grateful to become Canadian citizens.

Faridah and daughters Nayla, 16, Niesha, 14, and Nessa, 6, who live in Chemainus, officially took their citizenship oaths last Thursday in a Zoom ceremony.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 blessed to be part of this community and having great neighbours,B次元官网网址� said Faridah. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been touched by each and every individual organization in Chemainus. IB次元官网网址檓 very grateful for all of them.B次元官网网址�

Faridah was born in Kampala, Uganda. She worked for a British security printing company for 16 years and all her children were born in Uganda.

Faridah met her eventual husband Alan McCutcheon, who was originally from Ontario, during a trip to London.

B次元官网网址淲hen we met he came and visited me in Uganda,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淗e always stayed six months there, six months here.B次元官网网址�

Besides conditions at home, it was simply time for Faridah to leave the country and live as a family with McCutcheon rather than travelling every six months that turned out to be stressful.

McCutcheon had lived in Qualicum, Victoria, Nanaimo and Chemainus previously so he knew the Island would be a good place for them to relocate.

The family arrived in Canada at the end of April 2017 and moved into a house purchased that October in Chemainus. B次元官网网址淲hen I came it was, of course, with young kids, it was hard,B次元官网网址� said Faridah.

She had enrolled in the UBC Sauder School of Business, but was unable to complete her courses after McCutcheon died in October of 2018.

B次元官网网址淚 put everything on hold,B次元官网网址� Faridah explained. B次元官网网址淣ow, IB次元官网网址檓 a single mom. I had to move on.B次元官网网址�

A supportive community and friends helped Faridah and the girls get through a trying time.

B次元官网网址淲hen I arrived I started volunteering at the Neighbourhood House,B次元官网网址� Faridah noted. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 how I got to know people.

B次元官网网址淚 would also like to thank my husbandB次元官网网址檚 friends and family, those near and far. Their words of encouragement always echo in mind.B次元官网网址�

Faridah found a house cleaning job through the Chemainus Shoutouts Facebook page and now services many clients.

B次元官网网址淚 have amazing people,B次元官网网址� she enthused. B次元官网网址淭hey carried me on and made good friends. TheyB次元官网网址檙e listeners.B次元官网网址�

Faridah eventually wants to return to school, but for now sheB次元官网网址檚 embracing everything about her adopted country. The program leading up to citizenship was very gratifying.

B次元官网网址淚 read the material, it was very touching,B次元官网网址� Faridah said. B次元官网网址淚 love this country. I appreciate it so much. You try to live up to the standards of those that have been here before you.B次元官网网址�

The family was part of 48 people representing 22 different countries to take their oaths and sing the national anthem during the Zoom session.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 another step of accomplishment through my life and my family,B次元官网网址� said Faridah. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very privileged to be in a safe country where I feel safe.B次元官网网址�

The two oldest girls attend Chemainus Secondary School and the youngest is at Chemainus Elementary Community School.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 grateful,B次元官网网址� said Nayla, whoB次元官网网址檚 in Grade 11 and also works part-time as a cashier at the 49th Parallel Grocery in Chemainus Village Square.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot different in terms of school and the country, but itB次元官网网址檚 going good,B次元官网网址� she added.

Nayla enjoys chemistry and plans to attend college after high school. SheB次元官网网址檚 considering studies to become a pediatric nurse.

Faridah hopes to continue building the best possible life for her family and the citizenship ceremony marks a significant turning point.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 ready to carry on the flag, looking forward to doing my best,B次元官网网址� she said.

But thereB次元官网网址檚 so much more happening here thatB次元官网网址檚 pushing her to work hard after the loss of her husband.

Faridah cited the support of the church community of all faiths as being instrumental and even a B次元官网网址楽tone AngelB次元官网网址� as she calls an anonymous person providing inspiration secured by a stone.

B次元官网网址淪omeone out there has always been coming to my door and leaving very good notes there, and an envelope with some money,B次元官网网址� she pointed out. B次元官网网址淚f they read the paper, IB次元官网网址檓 very grateful.

B次元官网网址淒uring the height of COVID, this person came like three times. They came every Christmas and Easter. The angels are there, theyB次元官网网址檙e wonderful people.B次元官网网址�