Fleeing Kosovo: a refugee's reflection, 15 years later

Fifteen years ago, I never pictured my 15th anniversary in Canada to look like this. I had dreams, just as all children do, but experiencing war inKosovoperhaps shrunk them. I would need to write a book to tell my full story but here's an insight.

Late one night, more than a decade ago. Myself and my family were staying in a refugee camp in Stankovec, Macedonia.

I remember staying in a tent. My brother and sister were really sick. Sleep was very short since the crowds were huge and children's cries were endless.

During the month my family spent in the refugee camp while my country was being torn apart by war, I celebrated my 13th birthday. It was a gift.I was there, I was alive and I was whole with all my family. We were lucky to survive.

A few weeks later, itmust have been 10 or 11 o'clock at night,two unknown women in their late 30scame byour tent to find out if we were ready, packing for our flight to Canada in the morning. That news came as a surprise to us.

There was a tent shortage and they needed one for their family. We could relate to that. The men in my family often slept outside in the pouring rain.

We had no idea what the ladies were talking about. We didn't know we were scheduled to fly to Canada. My dad had signed up to leave for possible destinations in a couple of Western countries. He wasn't that eager to leave, until my sister and brother started getting sick.

Packing didn't take long, we had very little with us. Everything we had was left behind inKosovo. By then everything was probably ash. The next morning, I felt confused.I had a million thoughts going through my mind. I didn't know what toexpect.

Starting over

More than 15 hours of travelling later, we landed in Nova Scotialate in the evening. We were greeted by Red Cross Volunteers, teddy bears, reportersand officials. I was exhausted. I didn't want to go through all the blood tests, fingerprintsand long lineups.

I remember my first breakfast though, it was amazing. It was just like home. Finally some food that wasn't canned. Shortly after arriving, we were then transferred to the Military base in Windsor Park in west end Halifax.

I had a great time at the military base, it was sort of like going to rehab. I made new friends, some of whom remain close. We really were very welcomed. We felt a sense of belonging, and we could relate to other people fromKosovo with whom we would exchange our stories.

I was very eager to learn English.

At the military base we had English as a Second Language tutors and I immediately startedattending classes. I tried to not think about the war back home inKosovo, something that waseasier while atthe base. I was surrounded by many great people there and it kept my mind off things.

My dad played a huge role in healing us from the trauma, usingart and music to do that.

We met many amazing Canadians during that time, including the Red cross volunteers who always had a smile on, military personnel, doctors, the Jubilee group who assisted us for a couple of years into settling in Nova Scotia.

Wealso met some great reporters like Rob Gordon who, after he did a story on my family,decided to invite us to his house for a BBQ.

It may have been just a simple BBQ, but what Rob Gordon did for uswas life changing.He gave us a feeling of home again, after being homeless.

My dad,who worked as an artist and musician in Kosovo,lost much of his artwork when we fled our home inKosovo.

Every one of his paintings had an amazing story to go along with it.

I was intrigued by the stories of his art work. People were amazed visually, but I always wanted to know the story behind it.

I think that's when my curiosity of storytelling got planted in my mind. My curiosity, along with Rob Gordon's inspiration, made me want to be a journalist.

'I'm here for a reason'

War is never good, but good things can come out of it. I think my experiences with war have made me a better reporter because of it.

I believeI'm here for a reason and maybe I'm supposed to tell the stories of those who didn't made it.

I've had many great opportunities in Canada, like gettingthe opportunity to internat CBC. They've been extremely supportive of my learning. I'm also very grateful toNSCC and my instructors, who havebeen great mentors, really pushingme towards my journalism dream.

Sincemy family came to Canada all those years ago, they have alsohad many opportunities. My dadZeqirjahas his work displayed on murals all over the HalifaxRegional MunicipalitymakingHRM prettier, I think.

My sister Tringa has shared her talent in musical theatre and she recently joined Shakespeare by the Sea for this summer's productions. My brothers are involved in art design.

However, my oldest sisters,Ema and Yllka, and my mom have taken a different route. Both of my sister's arelaboratory technicians. My mom Bea, a former actress in Kosovo, has a hair shop on WindsorStreet.

I imagine people have mixed feelings about the 15th anniversaryof Kosovar refugees coming to Canada.

For me, it's a happy anniversary. I'm happy I've been able to come to this amazing country, even though I wasn't happy at the time.

It's happy because the war ended, happy because we got a second chance at life. It's sort of likebeing reborn. For some, those who've lost family members and who've gone through extreme torture and agony,it'sdevastating.

Experiencing war and conflict is never easy but it prepared myself and my familyfor any tough challenges on the road ahead.

Fifteen years later,I have two beautiful children who areCanadian.And next month I graduate from NSCC in Broadcast Journalism. Who knows what's ahead but so far it's been a great challenge.

Happy anniversary to all refugees who came, the ones who went back and everyone that worked with us during the time.