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.
鈥淚鈥檓 blessed to be part of this community and having great neighbours,鈥� said Faridah. 鈥淚鈥檝e been touched by each and every individual organization in Chemainus. I鈥檓 very grateful for all of them.鈥�
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.
鈥淲hen we met he came and visited me in Uganda,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e always stayed six months there, six months here.鈥�
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. 鈥淲hen I came it was, of course, with young kids, it was hard,鈥� 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.
鈥淚 put everything on hold,鈥� Faridah explained. 鈥淣ow, I鈥檓 a single mom. I had to move on.鈥�
A supportive community and friends helped Faridah and the girls get through a trying time.
鈥淲hen I arrived I started volunteering at the Neighbourhood House,鈥� Faridah noted. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 how I got to know people.
鈥淚 would also like to thank my husband鈥檚 friends and family, those near and far. Their words of encouragement always echo in mind.鈥�
Faridah found a house cleaning job through the Chemainus Shoutouts Facebook page and now services many clients.
鈥淚 have amazing people,鈥� she enthused. 鈥淭hey carried me on and made good friends. They鈥檙e listeners.鈥�
Faridah eventually wants to return to school, but for now she鈥檚 embracing everything about her adopted country. The program leading up to citizenship was very gratifying.
鈥淚 read the material, it was very touching,鈥� Faridah said. 鈥淚 love this country. I appreciate it so much. You try to live up to the standards of those that have been here before you.鈥�
The family was part of 48 people representing 22 different countries to take their oaths and sing the national anthem during the Zoom session.
鈥淚t鈥檚 another step of accomplishment through my life and my family,鈥� said Faridah. 鈥淚鈥檓 very privileged to be in a safe country where I feel safe.鈥�
The two oldest girls attend Chemainus Secondary School and the youngest is at Chemainus Elementary Community School.
鈥淚鈥檓 grateful,鈥� said Nayla, who鈥檚 in Grade 11 and also works part-time as a cashier at the 49th Parallel Grocery in Chemainus Village Square.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot different in terms of school and the country, but it鈥檚 going good,鈥� she added.
Nayla enjoys chemistry and plans to attend college after high school. She鈥檚 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.
鈥淚鈥檓 ready to carry on the flag, looking forward to doing my best,鈥� she said.
But there鈥檚 so much more happening here that鈥檚 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 鈥楽tone Angel鈥� as she calls an anonymous person providing inspiration secured by a stone.
鈥淪omeone out there has always been coming to my door and leaving very good notes there, and an envelope with some money,鈥� she pointed out. 鈥淚f they read the paper, I鈥檓 very grateful.
鈥淒uring the height of COVID, this person came like three times. They came every Christmas and Easter. The angels are there, they鈥檙e wonderful people.鈥�
