Refugees make Canada better. We arrive seeking safety, but we also bring determination, talent, resilience, and a desire to contribute. My story is one example of how refugees help strengthen the communities they call home.
My journey started in Yemen, took me to Egypt, and eventually brought me to Canada. It was a journey filled with uncertainty, sacrifice, and hope.
When I first arrived in Canada, I had absolutely nothing. I had no money, no family, and no friends. In fact, I believe I am the first person in my family’s lineage to reach North America. I didn’t even have any documents.
The first thing I did was reach out to an emergency hotline. Later that day, I found myself walking into a high school that was serving as an emergency shelter. I was handed a mat and directed toward an empty classroom.
I placed the mat in the corner and lay down. The shelter managers turned off the overhead lights, leaving only a dim, yellowish glow near the entrance.
There I was, lying on the floor, staring at the ceiling after a brutal three-month journey. I had left my family behind on my sister’s wedding day, and the friend I had started the journey with was no longer by my side. Yet, despite everything, I remember having only one thought running through my mind:
How fortunate I am to be in Canada.
I was exhausted, but I was also excited about what the future might hold.
The next morning, I headed to the Cyrus Centre Youth Shelter in Abbotsford. I still call Abbotsford a great city because of the incredible people I met there who welcomed me and gave me opportunities to contribute.
I volunteered wherever I could and was never picky about the type of support I offered. I did everything from setting up printers and running errands to helping seniors organize their Macintosh folder structures and building a custom web search page for a local non-profit organization.
Those opportunities helped me build confidence, develop new skills, and create connections within my community. Gradually, I felt ready to start my own software consultancy, taking on projects that I am still deeply proud of today.
Eventually, I relocated to Vancouver and joined ISSofBC, where I now have the privilege of helping support others as they build their lives in Canada.
Recently, I received life-changing news: I was awarded three scholarships worth approximately $300,000, one of which is the UGGLA Family Scholarship, the largest scholarship in Canada. I was thrilled and immediately reached out to the people in Abbotsford who had supported me during my early days in Canada to share the news.
Their response left me speechless.
They told me they were creating a new scholarship fund in recognition of my journey and efforts: the A & E Scholarship. (My name is Ebrahim—with an “E”.)
The honour meant so much to me, not because of the recognition itself, but because it reflected the kindness and belief that so many people had shown me when I was starting over with nothing.
Looking back, I realize that patience has never meant passive waiting. To me, patience means fiercely pursuing every opportunity that comes my way. It means continuing to learn, contribute, and move forward, even when the path ahead is uncertain.
My story is not unique. Across Canada, refugees are building businesses, supporting communities, filling critical labour shortages, volunteering, innovating, and helping create a stronger future for everyone.
We don’t come to Canada simply looking for a safe harbour. We come ready to build, to serve, and to give back.
I arrived in Canada with nothing but hope. Today, I have a career, a community, and opportunities I could never have imagined. My experience is a testament to what becomes possible when refugees are welcomed, supported, and given the chance to contribute.
Canada gave me that chance. In return, I am committed to helping make Canada even stronger.
Take action now:
Read and share the UNHCR Report on Refugees
The report shows that refugees:
✔️ Help address workforce shortages
✔️ Strengthen local economies and communities
✔️ Become engaged citizens and leaders
✔️ Increase their earnings and economic contributions over time.
✔️ Increase their earnings and economic contributions over time.
Other ways to support:
Donate to us to support refugees to ensure they can thrive in communities in Canada
