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Refugee Stories:Sunara’s StorySunara and her two sons, aged 7 and 9 were brought to Sojourn House by a police officer late one night. She had been found wandering and crying in Pearson International Airport. She spoke no English. The next day a Sojourn House counselor met with her and discovered that Sunara was also nine months pregnant. She had been taken from Afghanistan to a refugee camp at the Pakistani border by her brother when her husband disappeared. It is believed that he was abducted by the Taliban. In the rush and confusion to leave, fearing for her safety and the safety of her children, Sunara became separated from her eldest son. He is 10 years old and she prays that he is with a neighbour in their village. Her brother used his life savings to pay an agent to send Sunara and her children to Canada where as a woman without a husband she would be safe, and her children would have a future. During her stay at Sojourn House, Sunara gave birth to a beautiful baby daughter. With the help of Sojourn House, Sunara and her sons have moved to their own apartment in Oshawa. The boys are in school and getting straight “A”s and Sunara is attending English classes. Two other Sojourn House residents from her community moved to her apartment building at the same time, and they have become her extended family, filling the father role for her two sons. Sunara calls regularly with updates on the baby and the boys. She continues to mourn the loss of her husband, presumed dead, but is hopeful that her son will be found and she will bring him to join her in Canada. |