25@ 25 REFUGEES MAKING A DIFFERENCE

OPERATION PARASOL MARKS 25 YEARS, WE EXPLORE 25 REFUGEES MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN CANADA

18. DR. AGIM ALIJA: Ontario Doctor Reflects on Journey from Kosovo War to Canada’s Healthcare Frontlines

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These days, Dr. Aliu wears many hats, from a loving father and husband to an emergency room doctor and family physician in Ontario’s busy hospitals playing a crutial role during a critical time in healthcare as Canada and the world and its frontline workers who worked tirelessly in what seemed a journey without a finish line during one of the most challenging pandemic of our time, Covid-19. While his work keeps him on his toes, he shows great gratitude toward Canada but mostly to his wife Besa Molaku who he says stood by him every step of the way in helping him get re-certified in Canada as a licensed medical practitioner – a journey over a decade long “despite these challenges both me and my wife decided that I should do my best to get recertified as a physician, my wife Besa did pledge her full support for me to achieve this goal” he says.

CANADA'S HUMANITARIAN EFFORTS

"I think that Canada did an exceptional job in helping Kovovar refugees integrating into the new reality, even 25 years later I do not see that happening with refugees anywhere in the world"

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Credit: DND

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Credit: Pier 21 Museum of Immigration

As Canada grapples with historic challenges in its healthcare system, Dr. Alija, carries a past shaped by another crisis—one that unfolded over two decades ago in the heart of Europe. Long before attending to the pressing demands of Canada’s healthcare system, Dr. Alija was a witness to the brutal ethnic cleansing and human rights violations in Kosovo, a region then under the grip of Serbia, formerly part of Yugoslavia.

During the late 1990s, Kosovo became a battleground for freedom as Serbian forces unleashed a campaign of violence and oppression against ethnic Albanians. The conflict, marked by widespread atrocities, displaced hundreds of thousands and left the world leaders searching for solutions to end the crisis and having NATO intervene.

In 1998, Dr. Alija joined the Kosovo Diplomatic Observer Mission (KDOM) as a translator, working closely with international observers and local medical authorities in Kosovo’s capital, Pristina. The mission, established to monitor and document human rights abuses.

“I saw humanity at its worst and its best,” Dr. Alija says.

Dr. Alija continued his work as KDOM transitioned into the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which took on a broader mandate to stabilize the region. He remained with the OSCE until the spring of 1999, when the NATO bombing campaign began. The airstrikes, aimed at halting Serbia’s campaign of ethnic cleansing, marked a turning point in the conflict.

Dr. Alija feels his family got lucky where they were spared from fatalities and damage to their home. They fled to Macedonia’s refugee camp where Dr. Alija worked with the Canadian Embassy in interviewing refugees, little did he know that Canada would become his family’s adoptive homeland. Doctor Aliu’s extraordinary efforts and tireless work during ‘Operation Parasol’ earned him prestigious recognition from the US State Department and Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Canada’s humanitarian efforts stand out in the world stage not only from federal support but every day citizens who’ve played a role in helping refugees have a smooth transition “We came in contact with many Canadian families who opened their hearts and homes to me and my family. They were very helpful and understanding,” he says. His journey to becoming a healthcare professional in Canada was far from easy, but he credits the stability and sacrifice of his wife as a cornerstone of his success. “My wife continued to work full time in pharmacy as a technician. Her work provided good financial stability for me to carry on with expensive exams and workshops. As all this was going on, our children, Arita and Blend, were growing up and enjoying a pretty happy life.”

Amid their personal and professional challenges, the Alija family also found time to give back to their community. They contributed to The Hamilton Spectator’s ‘Canadian Diary,’ a column that offered a direct glimpse into Canadian society through the eyes of refugees. The column played a major role in raising awareness about the impacts of war on displaced individuals.

During the Kosovar refugee crisis 25 years ago, the Canadian government, under then-Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, answered the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) urgent plea for assistance. Canadian officials worked tirelessly to fast-track priority cases, including individuals with urgent medical needs, at-risk groups, and other vulnerable populations.

Medical professionals, including doctors and medical students, were deployed to military bases and assessment centers across Canada to assist with the arrival of thousands of refugees. Dr. Alija, was part of the pre-screening and selection work in Macedonia was no easy task 25 years ago from a refugee camp, without sufficient infrastructure: no offices, no phones.

"I think that Canada did an exceptional job in helping Kovovar refugees integrating into the new reality, even 25 years later I do not see that happening with refugees anywhere in the world" he says

17. ENISA HYSENI: HOW SURVIVING SERBIA’S WAR IN KOSOVO INSPIRED HER TO CHANGE HER OWN STORY

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Today, Enisa Hyseni lives in Windsor, Ontario and loves lurking online at the newest baking recipes overlooking the Ambassador bridge connecting two neighborly countries that she hopes the peaceful connection will also remain under the Trump Administration. A view reminding her of her family's past across the world, conflict of neighboring countries so complex killing thousands, forcing nearly a million out of their homes including Hyseni’s family.

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Inside her kitchen is a notebook with her writing and her baked goods making it out of the oven, Hyseni who lives at home with her family, giving her home a delicate smell is a survivor of Serbia’s ethnic cleansing in Kosovo in late 1999 prompting international backlash against Serbia for its use of force and human rights violations against civilians.

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Behind her big bright brown eyes that carry a sparkle and a smile with a shy smirk, Hyseni shares her family’s story of terror “Before the war, we lived in a village, but life was far from easy. Wherever we went, Serbians would beat anyone, put our people in jail, and push us around. We tried to survive, but even going to work meant risking the brutality of police” she says. Her family came to Canada in 1999 as refugees. Canada responded to UNHCR’s call to assist with the refugee crisis, airlifting over 5,000 initially and over another 3,000 others part of the refugee family reunification program.

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Although they suffered a lot from losing a house down to studs from Serbia’s arson to more severe losses, family members who died in the conflict protecting their families, Canada gave the Hyseni family renewed hope “We were grieving the loss of our people long before their deaths. My parents fled with the clothes on their backs, leaving behind everything they knew and loved” says Hyseni.

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Hyseni was only two-months-old when Serbian forces entered their town on April 2nd in 1999, taking over schools, separating men and women “paramilitary soldiers came and said we had no safety or security. We were told to leave our homes and go elsewhere. Despite this, our family returned home, only to face even more terror. On April 10, paramilitary forces came again. Police and soldiers dragged people from their homes and ordered them to head to Albania or stay and die” says Hyseni recalling memories as she looks down on her freshly baked goods; over 25 years later, memories with wounds still fresh for her family.

"My parents fled with the clothes on their backs, leaving behind everything they knew and loved”

The family stayed at a refugee camp for three months before taking a leap of faith and starting a new life in Canada as refugees “We lived in cramped conditions, surrounded by others who had faced similar horrors. It was a place where the future seemed uncertain, but it also became a testament to the human spirit’s resilience. During those months, our external family had no way of knowing if we had survived or not. It was a time of great fear and uncertainty, where every day was a struggle to maintain hope.” says Hyseni.

Hyseni acknowledges Canada’s outstanding support toward the refugees but she also recalls difficult new beginnings and faced grave challenges as they worked on building a new life in Canada at the same time, healing their traumas of war “The struggles Albanians faced coming to Canada were immense. My family didn’t know the language, had no money or clothes, and lacked the type of education that could help them find work. One of the barriers we faced was learning the language. The struggle to understand and be understood made every interaction fraught with anxiety, adding to the constant feeling that the war had followed us into our new life” says Hyseni.

Hyseni also says another challenge was the stigma they faced of being refugees and lived in fear of being identified as Albanians, a fear that was instilled in them from Serbia’s war in Kosovo. “Growing up in Canada, I was often filled with fear about revealing my heritage. The shadows of the war loomed large, and my family lived in constant fear of what might happen if we were identified as Albanian. The fear extended beyond our homeland's borders and followed us into our new life. Encounters with anyone of Serbian descent were particularly fraught, as we worried about potential backlash or discrimination” says Hyseni.

They were uncertain what would happen if they revealed their true identity as they lived in the shadows of their past hindering parts of their future as well “Stories of the 1990s were particularly brutal. Serbians poisoned students in Albanian schools; my aunt was one of the victims. Albanians were removed from schools and jobs, deprived of education and work. Albanians were forced to hold classes in secret in private homes. Students were beaten in the streets, and Albanian soldiers were killed, their deaths falsely reported as suicides.” says Hyseni, a history tragic enough to fear of similar outcomes.

HYSENI: REFUGEES FACED STIGMA, HARSH NEW BEGINNING IN CANADA

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“The stories of my family's sacrifices were the fabric of my childhood. My parents spoke of the life they left behind, the loved ones they will never see again, and the dreams they clung to despite the odds. I saw them work tirelessly, their dignity and resilience unbroken even in the face of adversity. In addition to these challenges, maintaining our proud identity as Muslim Albanians while assimilating into Canadian culture presented another layer of difficulty. Balancing our traditions and religious practices with the new cultural norms was a constant struggle. Yet, it was essential for us to keep our heritage alive and instill the same pride in our identity in future generations.” says Hyseni.

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Many Kosovo refugees who grew up in Canada report similar struggles and facing identity crisis. “To this day, many Albanians continue to live in the memories of the war. The fear and trauma have left lasting scars, and internally, they are still at war, even after years of living in Canada. Struggling with their identities and the memories of the past, they navigate the delicate balance between their new lives and the lingering shadows of war.” says Hyseni.

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But Hyseni and her brothers would bring new hope to their family. The 26-year-old has a diploma in law enforcement, a Bachelor’s Degree (BSc) in criminology and is an Immigration Caseworker in Windsor, ON and is certified to work with vulnerable sectors such as abuse victims and victims of crime, she’s busy diversifying her passions. Hyseni is also the founder of a gifting startup ‘With a Bow’ aimed to help children from under-privileged communities get the education they deserve. Hyseni says her past has inspired her to give back to her Albanian community in Windsor and to helping other Muslim women in the community who are in dire need. “Today, as I navigate the space between two worlds, I am filled with gratitude for the journey that has shaped me. It's a path marked by struggle and triumph, where the footprints of my parents' sacrifices are etched into every step I take. In their silent strength and unwavering hope, I found my purpose.” says Hyseni.

Hyseni indeed is a prime example of strength, recovery and the bravery to change your own story.

16. BELINDA LAHU: LEAVING CANADA TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN KOSOVO

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While most refugees who’ve come to Canada chose to call Canada home. Belinda Lahu did the opposite. Leaving Canada and her family here for a new life in Kosovo. Being a child of Kosovo refugees who settled in the country in 1999 following Canada’s response in airlifting over 5,000 refugees, Lahu being a first generation of Canadian born learning and creating a new identity as Albanian- Canadian.

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While Lahu was born in Canada, Lahu’s older siblings and parents faced Serbia’s war in Kosovo as a young family and forced to make ultimate sacrifices. In Lahu’s words, the experience was traumatic but would also inspire Lahu’s strong desire in community leadership and also staying connected to her roots. During the war, her family lived in a small village near the capital of Pristina, Rimanishte with their two daughters both under the age of two years-old. When the ethnic conflict escalated between Kosovo and Serbia, her parents were forced to separate out of fear and to keep the family safe as Lahu’s father had outdated documents.

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“My father faced additional danger due to outdated and incorrect citizenship documents. While this might not seem significant under normal circumstances, in a country gripped by war, Serbian forces used even the smallest pretext to terrorize Albanians. My village is in the mountains near Prishtina, and during this time, my father made the difficult decision to take my mother to her uncle’s house for safety. He then fled to the mountains, hiding alone for long periods. Even his own family didn’t know where he was. These were the lengths they had to go to in order to survive the chaos and brutality that defined those years" says Lahu..

AP

She recalls the traumatic experience her family and the people of Kosovo faced as the terror unfolded as the world watched horrific atrocities unfold and severe human right violations. “During the war, Serbian forces were brutally aggressive toward the Albanian population throughout Kosova. At checkpoints scattered across the country, they would often demand money or valuables when checking documents from those fleeing. If people had nothing to give, they risked severe harm, or worse, death. “My uncles experienced this firsthand—they were stopped, beaten, and left with no choice but to remain silent, unable to react out of fear for their lives. This fear wasn’t unfounded; it came from witnessing countless Albanians endure horrific treatment under similar circumstances.”

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Her mother took her two daughters and left without her husband and fled to Macedonia, as he stayed behind to avoid endangering them. The war brought immense hardship to Lahu’s family. Although nobody in her immediate families died, they endured many traumatic experiences and witnessed horrific events. Lahu’s uncle was stabbed in the leg, and her family’s neighbor’s son was killed in front of his family. “When my mom first fled with my sisters, they stayed with her uncle’s family, but the Serbians eventually forced them out. She then continued her journey to Macedonia with my sisters on her shoulders, where she was finally reunited with my aunt and their family” she says.

LAHU'S MOTHER: A WOMAN OF COURAGE

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Lahu’s mother would take on a new journey to Canada with her two daughters not knowing if her husband made it out alive. Lahu’s father went missing and was found through Red Cross and brought to Canada around six month later part of the family reunification program that was offered to the Kosovo refugees that came part of ‘Operation Parasol’ Canada’s emergency response program in relocating refugees to help with the refugee crisis flocking Macedonia in 1999.

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Those experiences have not only made her family resilient but Lahu too giving her a deeper connection to contribute to her family’s homeland. Today, she works for the Government of Kosovo in the capital of Pristina. She’s one of many young people from Kosovo who’ve left their birthplace to give back to Kosovo especially since Covid-19 opened doors to remote workers, this giving her attention on the social media platform TikTok “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had a deep longing for Kosova. I would hear stories of a home away from home—of the tragedies, hardships, and resilience—but I couldn’t fully grasp our culture, history, and heritage without being here. I needed to experience it for my own personal development, to better understand my parents' journey, and in a way to live the life that was taken from them”

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Lahu became part of the ‘Citizen Diplomacy Fellowship’, organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosova, where diaspora professionals are invited to contribute within different institutions. Even though Lahu’s family has continued their life in Canada “Coming back to Kosova has been a very transformative experience” she says.

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Lahu has a degree in Health Sciences from the University of Ottawa, with a focus on research in women's sexual and reproductive health, being one of six children, majority being women in the family inspired her passion in the field. The 22-year-old also has around six years of experience in the medical field, working in pharmacies and medical clinics “My mother, Fatime, and father, Afrim Lahu, sought refuge in Canada in 1999, and I am incredibly thankful for everything my family has done and the opportunities they provided us. Their strength and resilience have shaped who I am today” says Lahu.

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“My family’s best memory from coming to Canada is the patience and kindness we were shown from the beginning which allowed for our family to grow and create beautiful memories we will never forget.” says Lahu. She acknowledges the difficult beginning her family has shared as refugees and the difficulties she’s also faced in being a child of a first-generation newcomers.” they had nothing but the clothes on their backs when they got to Canada now, they have their house paid and kids all educated. They never gave up”

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Lahu shares that her family had to start a new life in Canada from learning English to obtaining education, something that was even more challenging for women like her mother as she juggled in raising 8 children in Canada “They sacrificed everything to stay in Canada. When the war ended, they were given the choice to return to Kosova but chose to remain in Canada to provide us with a better future” A sacrifice well worth it as Lahu and her siblings have all graduated with degrees in Law, Sciences and Psychology and giving back to their respective communities.

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“What I take the most pride in is finishing my degree in Health Sciences at the University of Ottawa and then returning to Prishtina, Kosova, 25 years after my parents fled. It was such a bittersweet moment to leave my childhood home and return to the place I heard about so much from my parents when they would tell us stories with longing and tears in their eyes. Now, I work for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of Kosova as part of the Citizen Diplomacy Fellowship, continuing the legacy of resilience and connection my parents inspired”.

ELBONITA MCNALLY, MERGIM & LEUTRIM VELIU, LIRIM HAJRULLAHU, REMZI CEJ ,SHPRESA LOSHAJ, FLUTURA MAZREKU, ARNISA MORINA

XHENETA MEHMETI QENDRESA SAHITI, SHANI PNISHI, RYVE LOSHAJ, DARDAN KELMENI VENESA SULIMANI, HYLKIJE YMERI, DANI BRAJSHORI