A Sudanese family who lost everything in the war are preparing to start their new life in Saskatoon next month.

When war broke out in Sudan on April 15, 2023, it began near the Abu Adam neighbourhood of Khartoum, an area adjacent to two Sudanese army camps, an ammunition and missile factory and gas and fuel depots. This is where Ahmed Saeed lived with his wife Malaz and their two sons.

For seven weeks, they endured the trauma of bombs and missiles falling near their home and bullets piercing their walls. Then, on June 9, insurgents raided their house, forcing the family to flee. They left everything behind.

They sought asylum in Ethiopia and then in Saudi Arabia. But their lives remain difficult. Under Saudi law, the parents are not allowed to work and they cannot afford to send their children to school.

In May 2024, Nest and the Canadian Lutheran World Relief submitted a refugee sponsorship application to bring the family to Saskatoon.

Now, 30 months after their lives were shattered in Khartoum, the International Organization of Migration (IOM) contacted the family this week to say they will be travelling to Saskatoon the last week of December.

“It is exciting but a little scary,” Ahmed says. “I know it will be difficult to find a job in my field of study, but I don’t mind learning and doing something new. The important thing is we will finally be safe.”

Ahmed has a degree in information technology while Malaz has her masters’ in animal production. Both speak English and Arabic.

“Saskatoon offers us a new life and a new culture. I know we will adapt to it,” Malaz says.