This Canada Day, we celebrate the many advantages of living in such a prosperous country.
One of the most memorable moments for the Foundation was the day Jimmy Akana Hreljac was declared a Convention Refugee and became a Canadian citizen!
His incredible journey, told through the book "Ryan and Jimmy And the Well in Africa That Brought them Together" by Herb Shoveller, describes that very moment:
"The judge then asked Jimmy what had happened the night the rebels attacked. Jimmy thought back to that horrible night. He closed his eyes, trying to remember everything. He spoke slowly about his capture and escape. As he told the story, he was thinking about Ryan, his "brothers," Mark and Susan and his new friends. He didn't want to let them down.
Then it was over. The hearing hadn't taken long, maybe an hour. Was that a good sign? How long does it usually take?
The room was bursting with emotion, a mixture of relief that the hearing was over and concern for the outcome. What would the decision be? Now they were on the edges of their seats.
The judge rose slowly, and, as he came around the corner of the table, he began to smile. He put out his hand and said, "Welcome to Canada, Jimmy. I'm declaring you a Convention Refugee."
In 2007 - the same year he graduated from high school - Jimmy became a Canadian citizen. Now, having completed his second year of University, he continues to make presentations around the world, offering his first-hand knowledge on water issues.
Happy Canada Day!
Purchase your own copy of "Ryan and Jimmy And the Well in Africa That Brought them Together" by Herb Shoveller to read the rest of this amazing story!