By CBC News | Link to Article
It’s been a very special Christmas for a group of immigrants in Saskatoon.
By CBC News | Link to Article
It’s been a very special Christmas for a group of immigrants in Saskatoon.
For Paul Daud, going to the Westgate Alliance Church’s Christmas Eve service was a night to remember. Daud moved to Canada from South Sudan in 2010, but this was the first time in 10 years he was able to celebrate with his family. For the last decade, they had lived in different cities.
“I came here to be with my family,” Daud said. “It is a great time to have Christmas with them and I am very excited to be here with them because I haven’t seen them in almost like 10 years.”
Daud said the little things make celebrating Christmas in Saskatoon so memorable.
“The special part is when you go to store and you see everywhere, the green and red and colour of Christmas,” he said. “But in my country, no. I haven’t seen such a thing. It really is wonderful. It really is a new experience to me being here.”
Tri Than, his wife, and two daughters are from Vietnam. They live near the church and said it is a great way to meet people in their community each Christmas.
“Most people come, you know, I think to receive peace, hope and happiness,” Than said.
Vina Francis and her husband Abel are from India. While Francis said she misses their friends and family in India, their new home has filled them with joy.
“I just love looking at the lights and everything well-lit,” Francis said. “It’s so nice. I just went to the store before coming. There’s so many last-minute shoppers. People like to get together for Christmas and it’s just really wonderful. I appreciate it.”