Dear Editor:
Forty years ago four churches from Alma, Elmira and Elora sponsored three Vietnamese “boat people.”
The recent death of one of those refugees brought together a small group of original sponsors and the family of Lelan, who had died at age 60. It was an inspiring and moving afternoon of conversation, reflection and celebration in Waterloo. We were fortunate to reconnect. There may be some in the community who contributed in 1979-80 and who remember the events of that time.
We wish to share our experience with those who have and continue to work with Syrian refugees. They have put in a lot of effort, made new contacts and friendships, but over the years they may lose track of those they sponsor. They may not realize the success of their sponsorship until later.
In 1979 the Canadian government’s target of 21,000 privately sponsored refugees was exceeded as groups across Canada privately sponsored 25,059. In all, between 1979 and 1981, Canada accepted 60,000 Vietnamese refugees.
The local sponsors from Alma, Elmira and Elora named their group Almora. The organizers came principally from four churches: Alma United, Elmira’s Gale Presbyterian and Elora’s St. John’s Anglican and Knox Presbyterian. Like the groups that have recently sponsored Syrian arrivals, individuals in these three communities invested time, energy and resources.
Two young men and one young woman were sponsored. Both men received financial aid enabling them to graduate from university. The woman worked locally in Kitchener, married another Vietnamese refugee and they raised their two sons in Kitchener.
Those of us gathered to remember Lelan were suddenly able to realize the results of actions that took place so many years ago. While one of those we sponsored moved to Texas and has not kept in touch, the other man donated $1,000 to help the Mennonite Central Committee sponsor recent Syrian refugees. Lelan’s two boys have done remarkably well. One is a professor at the University of Waterloo and the other is an IT security specialist with Deloitte, now working in Chicago. Through our conversation we learned how much they appreciate Canada and the assistance they received. Their enthusiasm for Canada resulted in their much treasured attendance at Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa eight years ago.
The family gave each of us a Christmas card that said in part, “We’re very thankful for the role that you and the churches played in welcoming Lelan to Canada 40 years ago. We miss her every day, but are comforted knowing she lived a good life with lots of love around her, and that she was so proud to be Canadian.”
The bittersweet reflection of our recent reunion was that so many of those who took initiative, who convinced others to generously donate money, who collected belongings and furniture and who even housed them in their homes for awhile are no longer alive to see the long-term result of their efforts.
Linda and Ian Rankine, Elora,
and Doris White, Alma