One refugee's escape from 'capturing and murdering' to a new life in Calgary

The recent arrivalof Syrian refugees in Calgary is just the latestwaveof people fleeing danger in search of a better life.With #yycRefugee, we feature some of thepeoplewho havemade thatjourney in thepast. They nowcall Calgary home.

You can understandwhyAziza Hakdastill can'twatch a film withscenes ofgunfire. Thesoundtakesher back to the most frightening timeofher life.

"They started capturing and murdering people," recallsAziza, who witnessed victims being shot and corpsesparaded around on the end of bayonets. "I don't think we slept without pilingfurniture against the front door."

Frighteningdays indeed.

The year was 1971. Aziza andher husband, Hanif,were living in Uganda withtheir baby daughter, Naushmeen. The trouble beganGen. Idi Amin took power in a coup. It was the beginning of hisbloody eight-year reign over the African country.

The madnessof Idi Amin

"He was an army general that was just looking for power,'' saidAziza, reflecting on the events 45years ago. "He was not educated. His advisors told him that East Indians are rich and let's get rid of these guys."

Azizasays herethnic minority suddenlybecame 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 Haniftook 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 diapersand baby milk."

Aziza Hakda on fleeing Uganda in 1971

9 years ago

Duration 1:04

Aziza Hakda recounts the danger she and her family faced before fleeing Uganda in 1971.

Life as a refugee

Azizaand her familystayed in Britain forseveral 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 Hakda on arriving in Canada

9 years ago

Duration 1:07

Aziza Hakda describes her reaction when she arrived in the airport in Toronto in 1971.

Azizaand her family touched down in Toronto. One thing she distinctlyremembers was the Canadian government givingthem a "welcome loan" of $37.50. Sherecalls the amount being written on the back ofhusband's passport in red ink.

Oncethe paperwork was processed, they boarded another flight thisone west towards the Rockies.

A new home

Aziza, Hanif and Naushmeedarrived in Calgaryon Sept. 26, 1971. They were metat the airportby a small group of members of anascentchapterof theCanada-India Association.

Within two weeks, with thehelp of their new friends in Calgary, Hanifgota job.They were able tomoveinto a furnished apartment. When he received his first paycheque, theypaid back the $37.50 loan to the government.

Aziza Hakda on arriving in Calgary

9 years ago

Duration 1:19

Aziza Hakda recalls being greeted by complete strangers in Calgary.

One of Aziza's best memories ofthat first year in Calgarywas Christmas.

Her new neighbours,Joseph and Madeleine,showed up a few days before Christmas witha tree anddecorations 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 neighboursreturned withfood.

"They knew that we didn't eatmeat so they brought a complete vegetarian meal and we sat andhad 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 handtakes, two hands give'

Azizahasnever second-guessed thechoice 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.

At70 years of age, Azizais stillvery active in thecommunity. She has been honoured by various levels for her volunteer efforts.

And, these days, when thephone rings asking her to go greetnewcomers arrivingin Calgary, Azizais ready to help.

She's just happy to return the favour.

Aziza Hakda on what she does to help refugees

9 years ago

Duration 0:39

Aziza Hakda explains what she does to help newcomers when they arrive in Calgary.

Calgary will always be home for Aziza and her family.

Asked why she has never returned to Uganda, Aziza'sanswer is simple.

"There is nothing left for us there, only bad memories."