Vegreville Residents Become Canadian Citizens

Vegreville Residents Become Canadian Citizens

Bryan Butler - Submitted

“Welcome Home.”

Those words were spoken by Prime Minister Trudeau following the Oath of Allegiance that was recited before a judge from Calgary during a Citizenship Ceremony on Jan. 26. It marked the beginning of a new chapter in the Kayisire family’s journey.

At last, these Vegreville residents are officially Canadians. The Citizenship Ceremony took place via Zoom with more than 120 new Canadians from 33 countries celebrating the occasion.

The family celebrated the Citizenship Ceremony in our home. Annette and Jim Schieck joined the celebration to help care for the three youngest children, who, because they were born in Canada, were already citizens.

We have been friends with the Kayisire family since meeting them just after they arrived in town. Sharing recipes, garden produce, and helping the boys get to hockey practices has created a firm friendship.

Willy Kayisire and Laurette Mafurebo met in Ethiopia. They married in 2013, and immigrated to Canada in 2014. For their first four years in Canada, they lived in Quebec where both of them continued their studies before moving west. In Quebec, the two oldest boys fell in love with winter and, with their encouragement, gave their parents a love for that part of Canadian life.

Kayisire family with Bryan and Ardythe Butler.

(Annette Schiek/Submitted Photo)

Following a year in Edmonton, the family moved to Vegreville in 2019. Here, Willy works with WJS and VALID as a caregiver. The oldest two children, Igor and Edwin, attend A.L. Horton. Laurette is continuing with her studies, cares for the four children, and is learning the ropes of being a hockey mom.

While growing up, both Willy and Laurette learned about Canada in school – the cold, the snow, the opportunity, and the freedom. Now that they are Canadians, they are excited about the new life and the wonderful hope that citizenship in Canada brings. A Canadian passport will also allow them to visit their families without complication.

In the future, Willy, who was a teacher in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, hopes to become qualified to teach in Alberta. As well, he hopes to pursue writing. Laurette is so grateful that living in Canada allows her a choice in career paths. Currently, she is looking at accounting or nursing in the future. Igor and Edwin both are part of the Vegreville minor hockey program. Igor hopes to play for Team Canada while Edwin has his sights set on the NHL.

The family is grateful for the quiet and peaceful nature of the town as well as its parks and pool. They especially appreciate the friendliness and caring attitude of the people they have encountered.