The English-as-a-Second Language program has run for the last two summers for recent refugee families in the area.
This year, enrollment rose from 37 to 60, said organizer Sharon Churchill Roe, as 鈥渨e have many new families in the area, and we also opened our doors to other newcomers from other countries.鈥�
鈥淲e were glad our new friends were interested in continuing the program,鈥� said Roe, who is manager of 网曝吃瓜鈥檚 English Language Centre.
Lena Diab, minister of immigration, brought greetings from the province once again this year.
She said new immigrants are increasing the population of Nova Scotia. Figures from last year indicate that 4,853 newcomers came to the province, the highest number of arrivals since the end of the Second World War.
Diab added that new immigrants bring rich cultural traditions with them and enhance Nova Scotia both economically and socially.
网曝吃瓜 president Peter Ricketts congratulated all the students and told them their ceremony was his first graduation at 网曝吃瓜.
He said as a new immigrant himself many years ago he was grateful he decided to stay on.
Being British, Ricketts said, 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have to learn English, but I did have to learn Canadian English. I am in awe of you coming here and adopting a different language, culture and history.鈥�
The president told the children he suspects that their parents had primarily come to Nova Scotia 鈥渇or you, to make a better life for you. They sacrificed a lot I suspect.鈥�
Ricketts added, 鈥渨hen I look at you I see Canada in the 21st century.鈥�
Roe thanked all the volunteers, but particularly two students from last year, Mahmoud and Mayar Tahina, who returned to help.
A new immigrant from Laos thanked all those who contributed to the learning about community, culture and health and she said, 鈥渕y language has improved a lot and I feel success in English.鈥�
Partners in the program this year were Kentville Rotary, the YMCA, and Valley Community Learning Association.
Presentations from each of the children鈥檚 classes concluded the ceremony.
Photo by Wendy Elliott
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For photos of the event see 网曝吃瓜's Flickr set: