In 1994 I was on an International development education program with Canada World Youth in Flores, Indonesia. I lived with a great family whose daughter was getting ready to depart for school in Java. We all drove her to the pier in Larantuka, stopping at relatives’ homes to eat, dance and send her off. It was dark when she boarded the ship. When I looked over at her father, he had tears running down his face. Fourteen years later, I still remember that moment. The moment he reminded me of my own parents, seeing their daughters off on their many journeys. We are so much the same.
Yasmeen, Vancouver, Canada
1 Comment
September 15, 2008 at 6:32 am
This story is so much a part of what it means to be a global citizen. Being on one side of the fence while another waits on the other. One of my families’ best friends were the Vietnamese refugees who came to Canada when my children were young. I had contributed an insignificant amount of money toward helping the Vietnamese enter Canada. To my surprise they moved in beside me. It breaks my heart to think of the hardships that they endured leaving their mothers, grandmothers, and familiar settings in hope for a better life. I can’t really say I can put myself in their shoes but I can say that I enjoyed my relationship with those who made it here. I never thought about the day when they would come to my rescue. I was having trouble financially and they helped. At one point I decided that they should be part of my life in a spiritual way. We since then moved to different provinces but my children always know that they can count on our Vietnamese friends. They bring hope and sincerity where it is often taken for granted. I am not too religious but I know when someone is being good to me. My children would agree.