Initially we were shocked (Special Feature)

By Madan Giri, Canada
We have passed over 500 strange days in Canada. The day still remains afresh to our memory when we left Tribhuwan International Airport in Nepal.  The place where we stayed for 16 years was difficult to forget and we become emotionally soft to say good-bye to friends and relatives in camps.

The initial days were hard, strange and all struggling once we arrived here. We felt lonely here as we compared our crowded life in the camps. There were people but they were strange to our culture, nation, lifestyle and much more. Our parents were most shocked with the new systems. But, slowly with the assistance of provincial government here we started our new life.

Thanks to Canada and Canadians for the financial assistance and other logistic support that we are offered to. My brothers and sisters are happy to join their new schools here. They were odds among the group at first but slowly they adapted and now they are well with their books and copies.

My parents find difficult time to spend as they have no one to share their feelings and joys. Everyone seems busy and scheduled unlike sitting hours in camps to talk and share the feelings by elderly. Now they are used to with the system here. Plus they are learning English language to make themselves acquainted with this society.

The travel loan which amounted to 16,500 Canadian dollars has recently been withdrawn by the government and we are really happy for that. We rented an apartment here and it is okay to run our family with 1,000 Canadian dollars a month. The government again extended material supports for another year. I am the only working member in my family. Once I started earning, I reported government accordingly and I am the only member in my family who is not provided with allowances. My parents get an old-age allowance which is equal to 2,500 Canadian dollars. Two children get 525 and my sister gets 800 Canadian dollars for a month.

There are some three dozens Bhutanese living here but we are the only Bhutanese who came under resettlement program. Canada government will be absorbing some 5,000 exiled Bhutanese in between 2009 and 2012. It is learnt that they will be resettled in Maritime area. Bhutan News Service