The generous heart of a refugee claimant

This story was told to us by MCRS staff member, James Foley

I first met Labatchanta in the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) government office in Kitchener. He was tired, frustrated, and completely alone, sitting in a chair staring at the floor. He was also painfully aware of his throbbing wounds from the beating he received before fleeing his country. The CIC office had called MCRS saying they had a refugee claimant who had just arrived.  No one on staff at CIC that day spoke much French, and Labatchanta spoke no English.  In short, they needed our help.

The government employee was counting on MCRS to find food and housing for this man, and, as they put it, to “take care of everything.” I’m not sure the employee realized the many challenges involved in welcoming a refugee claimant, especially when they arrive with no friends, no money, no shelter, and little command of the language. But I told him we’d do what we could to help – we’d been in this situation hundreds of times before.

Labatchanta and I got acquainted as we traveled to the MCRS office, then to the House of Friendship Hostel, and finally to the K-W Reception Centre. The next day we went to the House of Friendship Food Hamper Program, back to CIC for an emergency medical card, then to a medical clinic, and finally to a pharmacy where Labatchanta could find treatment for his wounds.

As I got to know Labatchanta, I was touched by his heart of generosity. He not only wanted to be helped but he also wanted to help. When I dropped him off with the hamper of food that was to last him for two weeks, he insisted on giving me some of the food, saying that he didn’t want to always be taking without giving back. Deeply moved, I walked back to the office with a couple of cinnamon rolls he had given me to share with the other staff at MCRS. In the days & weeks that followed, Labatchanta continued to give in whatever way he could.

The ministry of welcoming newcomers to Canada is more than a response to basic needs. It’s sharing gifts and forming a community of mutual support – nobody understands that better than many of the refugees that come to our door for help.