While the COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges for us all, the resilience that resettled refugees have shown and their determination for a better life during a pandemic is nothing short of inspiring.

One family, sponsored by the New Westminster CRC in British Columbia, demonstrates this resilience. Margaret Vegt, a member of the New Westminster sponsoring committee shares, “The journey to today, via Turkey, was hard: mountain climbs in pitch dark, nearly losing a son while crossing a river, sweltering for long hours inside a sealed van, and being stopped by armed men at border checkpoints, knowing [their] lives depended on the honesty of strangers.” Margaret continues, “But every time I see them now their eyes are shining and you know there are smiles behind the masks.”

This sponsored newcomer family believes they have a great deal to smile about. It was a proud moment for the father of the family when he paid off his immigration loan within the first three months of the family’s arrival to Canada; even after being advised about the three-year repayment timeline! The children are enrolled in school and one child is taking a level 4 English class (advanced) and several of the adult children are working.

As we slowly begin to see arrivals of newcomers to Canada increase after the delay caused by the pandemic, let us remember that their presence in our communities serves as a testament to their resilience. Though the welcome may look different now than in previous years as sponsors and newcomers comply with the public health safety measures and follow quarantine plans, the smiles behind the masks can still be seen.