1999 SfC in the News: Toronto Star (March)

SfC In The News


March 1999

Trailblazers Overcome
Great Odds to Succeed
By Kerry Gillespie Toronto Star Staff Reporter

Some of the first words Manoucher Etminan heard when he came to Canada are still burned in his mind: ``I trust you will be good for Canada.''

Etminan has worked hard to live up to that statement. It hasn't always been easy. A successful businessman in Iran, Etminan, 49, found himself working a series of low-paying jobs when he immigrated to Canada in 1991.

``I'm not going to ask for help, I'm going to make it on my own,'' Etminan said he had decided before moving here. With the words of the customs officer still ringing in his ears, he took a chance and started his own business. He began making Iranian breads and stood on Toronto streets selling bread in front of the stores that now stock his products. Today, his company Manoucher Food & Co., employs more than 50 people and sells its handmade breads internationally.

Etminan was one of five people to receive New Pioneers Awards from Skills for Change last night at a fundraising dinner gala at the Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel. The 16-year-old non-profit organization helps prepare immigrants and refugees for life in Canada through job training and advocacy. The seventh annual awards recognize immigrants and refugees who have overcome barriers and made significant contributions in the community. Though each of their stories is different, the recipients all share a determination to succeed.

The gruelling three-month journey to Canada from Iran was just the beginning of Maral Nadjafi's difficulties. ``We thought everything would be perfect when we got to Canada,'' said Nadjafi, remembering the mule trip across the Turkish border, followed by traveling through France and Spain. ``But we encountered new problems, with the culture and language.'' Nadjafi met those challenges by learning English, using a translation dictionary and reading text books, and by becoming involved in her school activities.

Knowing how difficult adjusting to a new culture can be, Nadjafi, now an OAC student at York Mills Collegiate Institute, began volunteering with school and community organizations to help ease the transition for other immigrants. ``I thought I could help others skip the steps I had to go through,''said Nadjafi, who added that helping others was a healing process for her. She received the youth New Pioneers Award in recognition of her personal success. Nadjafi has received numerous math awards and other prizes for her dedication to helping immigrants and for her work with disabled children.

Though Patrick Parson's award recognized his contribution to the arts, he also blazed a new trail. When he arrived in Toronto from Trinidad in 1988 to study dance he was shocked to discover there wasn't an outlet for African dance. So he started one. ``There's no sense in complaining,'' said Parson, 40, showing the philosophy that lead him to start Ballet Creole in 1990. The company now performs in major cities and festivals in Canada and the United States. Ballet Creole visits schools throughout Ontario to promote dance and multicultural understanding. ``It's very important for organizations to do this,'' he said about last night's awards. ``It builds our self-esteem and lets us know there are people supporting us.''

Ramon Pacheco, the Skills for Change graduate award recipient, knows what a difference support can make. Wanting a better future for his wife and three young children, Pacheco, 39, fled his war-torn homeland of El Salvador in 1992. Arriving in Canada, the former accountant was forced to work nights as a cleaner to support his family. ``I knew it would be hard, that I would have to start all over again,'' he said. Not willing to give up on the dream of a successful future for his family, Pacheco, attended school every day, first improving his English, then getting his Canadian high school diploma and training in accounting software. ``I worked hard just to survive,'' said Pacheco, remembering his first years here. ``Things are getting better. I'm glad to be here, this is my country now.'' He is now a store administrator for a local Shoppers Drug Mart. He continues working towards his dream of becoming a Certified General Accountant.

For Ceta Ramkhalawansingh, getting involved in her community came naturally. ``I moved into a downtown neighbourhood and there were problems. I wanted to fix the problems and one thing led to another,'' said Ramkhalawansingh who moved to Canada from Trinidad in 1967. She was recognized last night for her involvement with education and housing reform, women's issues and labour equity. ``When you get involved with one issue you realize it's not isolated and you have to get involved in 20 things to fix that one thing,'' she said.

Laurel Rothman, chair of the board of directors

Last night's awards weren't just about honouring the recipients but about creating role models and reminding the city about ``the tremendous contribution from the members of our diverse community,'' said Laurel Rothman, chair of the board of directors.

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