One refugee's escape from 'capturing and murdering' to a new life in Calgary
'They started capturing and murdering people'
The recent arrival of Syrian refugees in Calgary is just the latest wave of people fleeing danger in search of a better life. With #yycRefugee, we feature some of the people who have made that journey in the past. They now call Calgary home.
You can understand why Aziza Hakda still can't watch a film with scenes of gunfire. The sound takes her back to the most frightening time of her life.
"They started capturing and murdering people," recalls Aziza, who witnessed victims being shot and corpses paraded around on the end of bayonets. "I don't think we slept without piling furniture against the front door."
Frightening days indeed.
The year was 1971. Aziza and her husband, Hanif, were living in Uganda with their baby daughter, Naushmeen. The trouble began Gen. Idi Amin took power in a coup. It was the beginning of his bloody eight-year reign over the African country.
The madness of Idi Amin
"He was an army general that was just looking for power,'' said Aziza, reflecting on the events 45 years ago. "He was not educated. His advisors told him that East Indians are rich and let's get rid of these guys."
Aziza says her ethnic minority suddenly became targets. They were harassed and threatened. Their bank accounts were frozen and their assets seized.
Amin eventually gave East Indians 90 days to leave Uganda.
Aziza and Hanif took turns standing in line to try get the necessary papers to leave.
They found safety in a warehouse near the Entebbe airport. They waited there nine days until British military planes arrived to take them and thousands of others away.
"We left with the clothes we were wearing on our back, a brown paper bag full of cloth diapers and baby milk."
Life as a refugee
Aziza and her family stayed in Britain for several months. But they knew it would not be their final destination. Another country, Canada, was also accepting refugees from Uganda.
"We had chosen to come to Canada…. Personally, I had been to Britain before and didn't think I'd like to live there. I learned about Canada in my geography classes."
Talk about a leap of faith.
Aziza and her family touched down in Toronto. One thing she distinctly remembers was the Canadian government giving them a "welcome loan" of $37.50. She recalls the amount being written on the back of husband's passport in red ink.
Once the paperwork was processed, they boarded another flight — this one west towards the Rockies.
A new home
Aziza, Hanif and Naushmeed arrived in Calgary on Sept. 26, 1971. They were met at the airport by a small group of members of a nascent chapter of the Canada-India Association.
Within two weeks, with the help of their new friends in Calgary, Hanif got a job. They were able to move into a furnished apartment. When he received his first paycheque, they paid back the $37.50 loan to the government.
One of Aziza's best memories of that first year in Calgary was Christmas.
Her new neighbours, Joseph and Madeleine, showed up a few days before Christmas with a tree and decorations for them.
"We knew about Christmas but we couldn't afford presents and all that. They came and put presents under the tree."
Then, on Christmas Eve, the neighbours returned with food.
"They knew that we didn't eat meat so they brought a complete vegetarian meal and we sat and had it all together. He dressed up as Santa Claus and the kids had so much fun," recalls Aziza.
"So, on Christmas Day, I cooked them a curry meal."
'One hand takes, two hands give'
Aziza has never second-guessed the choice of Calgary.
"We picked Calgary because it was a small place. The population was small. We thought we'd assimilate into society. We've been here ever since. It's my home. I love it."
Aziza's family has grown in Calgary. She now has great-grandchildren living in the city.
At 70 years of age, Aziza is still very active in the community. She has been honoured by various levels for her volunteer efforts.
And, these days, when the phone rings — asking her to go greet newcomers arriving in Calgary, Aziza is ready to help.
She's just happy to return the favour.
Calgary will always be home for Aziza and her family.
Asked why she has never returned to Uganda, Aziza's answer is simple.
"There is nothing left for us there, only bad memories."
With files from Ellis Choe