Refugees make Canada better. We arrive seeking safety, but we also bring determination, talent, resilience, and a desire to contribute. Hamoudi Saleh Baratta story is one example of how refugees help strengthen the communities they now call home.
I left everything, but not the part of me that serves others
When my life completely fell apart, my journey to Canada began. I left Syria because I had no other choice, leaving behind my home, my medical studies, and the version of myself I had always known. When I arrived in British Columbia, exhausted and carrying the weight of everything I lost, ISSofBC was one of the first places that made me feel safe again and helped me take my first steps when I could barely stand on my own.
As the years passed, I found strength in helping others walking that same difficult path. I became a Resettlement Counsellor and later a Refugee Sponsorship Trainer. Giving back became more than work; it became a way to heal and honour the people who helped me rebuild. Recently, I reached a milestone I once thought impossible by graduating from Simon Fraser University with a degree in Computer Science. Today, whether through advocacy or technology, I continue to support newcomers because I know how powerful it is when someone believes in you when you need it most.
The kind of joy that erases distance
Growing up, I saw how football could bring people together even in the hardest times. In refugee camps touched by conflict, children still find a way to play.
The FIFA World Cup is special because it is one of the few moments when the world feels united. You can walk into a room full of strangers and suddenly feel like family because you are all watching the same match. You celebrate and forget your differences. For the FIFA World Cup 2026, I will be cheering for Canada with pride, and I will always carry Syria in my heart.
Refugees bring more than survival stories
Refugees arrive with pain, but also with fierce determination. We come with skills, dreams, and a deep desire to contribute because we know the value of a second chance. When I think about the UNHCR report, I think about the people I meet every day.
In my own life, Canada gave me safety and dignity. In return, I have tried to give back through community involvement, and now, as a tech graduate.
Welcoming refugees is not only an act of compassion. It is a choice that strengthens our economy and builds a better future for everyone.
A chance can change a life
Every refugee story begins with involuntary loss. No one chooses to leave their home and the people they love. But a refugee story does not end with loss.
With safety and opportunity, people can rebuild, thrive, and enrich the entire country. I am living proof of that.
When you welcome a refugee, you give someone the chance to feel human again. You give them the chance to hope and belong. Thank you to every Canadian who continues to open their heart to people trying to start over.
Take action
You can help build a stronger, more inclusive Canada:
👉 Read how refugees Are Good for Canada: World Refugee Day 2026
👉 Learn and share the facts about refugees
👉 Donate to refugee programming or become a volunteer through ISSofBC
👉 Send a message to your MP or sign the Canadian Council for Refugees petition to the Prime Minister
👉 Welcome newcomers in your community.
