Because of you, refugees like Zeynab can find their way in a new community. It’s hard to believe what young Nasteha and her mother Zeynab have endured. Zeynab, an Ethiopian refugee, made it to Canada with her five children, but not the sixth. At gunpoint, she was told to leave her newborn daughter, Nasteha behind. Although devastated, she settled in Surrey with her family. To help her adjust to her new life, Zeynab began attending the United Way-developed and -funded First Steps Early Years Refugee Program in Surrey. It was here that others first learned of her painful story and the three and a half year process of reuniting mother and daughter began. “When I first heard this, I actually couldn’t believe that someone would be put in that position to have to make that difficult decision,” said Ruth Beardsley, Senior Manager of United Way funded Options Community Services. When the paperwork was in place, Ruth traveled more than 1400 km to meet Nasteha and bring her home to Canada. Zehnab’s life is full having her daughter in her arms again. 
The reconciliation would not have happened without the support of United Way-funded programs like First Steps and generous donors like you. “It made our family whole again,” Zeynab says. “Thank you for making this happen.” First Steps is one of five programs that serve refugee children and their families in five Metro Vancouver communities under the umbrella of the Early Years Refugee Program. United Way has been championing and funding this groundbreaking initiative since 2007 that helps newcomers and their families successfully integrate to their new home in the Lower Mainland. 
United Way invests over $2.5 million annually into programs that support newcomer families to achieve their full potential and ultimately to support them in their life in Canada. A life that is happier because you thought to give. To view the CTV video about this remarkable story, click here.
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