Recipient of George W. Vari Friendship Award shares how her experience as a newcomer led her to building her own community
We are pleased to share that Huda Goehar, a Master of Science in Computer Networks student, has been named a recipient of the George W. Vari Friendship Award in the Civil Leadership category for her work in creating a community for families new to Canada.
Goehar's story begins three years ago after moving to Canada with her family from Malaysia, where she had been before living in Syria, her home country. As newcomers, Goehar describes how difficult the transition was for her and her family moving to Canada.
“There were lots of challenges. For example, I had to start my career over again,” says Goehar. “Especially for my children, learning a new language was very difficult for them. My son even refused to go to school because no one could understand him. They felt like strangers.”
Finding that her children were having a difficult time transitioning into a new country, Goehar wanted to find a solution. That’s when she started joining Facebook and WhatsApp groups for families in similar circumstances. As a teacher for two years during her time in Malaysia, and a tutor in Syria, Goehar began reaching out to newcomers with young children and volunteered to organize activities for them.
“I made up a group of 20 kids and I started teaching them Arabic and held events to make the children, including my own, feel more at home,” says Goehar. “They were so happy to participate in the celebrations and all of the kids spoke the same language. They felt comfortable and they were able to share their experiences with each other.”
As a recipient of the George W. Vari Friendship Award, Goehar says she feels honoured that her community work is being recognized. “It means a lot knowing that what you’re doing is making an impact and that other people appreciate it,” Goehar describes.
Each recipient of the George W. Vari Friendship Award is awarded $5,000. As a leader, not only in Canada but also in her home country, Goehar has donated part of her scholarship to an individual in Syria that will allow them to proceed with a liver transplant.
