Journey to Canada
For Ikbale, the change in Albania’s political climate in the early 1990’s also meant that the lives of her family members would be impacted in new ways- leading Ikbale and her husband to eventually immigrate to Canada.
In 1995, Ikbale and her husband Sezai had both retired and were enjoying a busy family oriented life living near Ikbale's brothers and sisters, while living on their state pensions.
Their son Astrit had left Albania. As described by Ikbale, he has "gotten married to travel" and was now exploring Australia and looking to start a new life there. In 2000, Ikbale saw another family member leave Albania. That year she said goodbye to her daughter Dorina who decided to immigrate to Canada with her husband and young daughter. Even though their adult children had now left Albania to live in the far off countries of Canada and Australia, for Ikbale and Sezai, a move across the globe was definitely not in their plans.
A short while after arriving in Canada, Dorina began studying English and working part time, while her husband stayed at home to care for their daughter. Without being able to find meaningful work in Canada, Dorina’s husband became more and more depressed and disconnected from his young family. Dorina struggled to hold her family together but it was not easy. Ikbale recalls the constant stream of tearful phone calls from Canada as she tried to provide support for her daughter.
Ikbale’s daughter was now three months pregnant with her second daughter. The challenges continued as the young family tried to adjust to life in Canada. Finally, after repeated requests and realizing that her daughter needed her direct support, Ikbale and her husband decided to go to Canada. On May 24, 2001 Ikbale and Sezai arrived in British Columbia. Shortly after Ikbale arrived, her son-in-law returned home to Albania- leaving behind his young family and pregnant wife. Ikbale, like any loving mother and grandmother, stepped in to take care of the new baby while her daughter Dorina worked to provide for the family. During her first year in Canada, Ikbale, in spite of having to adjust to a new life in a strange country, dedicated herself to lovingly support her daughter and her two young granddaughters.
"I came for my grandchildren, for my daughter, for love."
