Untold Stories

Untold Stories By English Language Learners 2020

About enthusiasm and exchanged their ideas.  Finally the students used the Google Drive to type their work.   book This year, 2020 is an unprecedented year of crisis for the whole   world.  We are fighting this fast spreading virus COVID 19. Thanks for doing your part by staying at home.  We had to cancel our plan to print The writers of this anthology are English language learners from our upcoming book but rather have a digital book that can be shared Crescent Town School and George Webster School.  This year we without leaving our homes.   decided to engage our ESL students to work on an intergenerational writing project with our seniors from Harmony Hall. The students We believe this book will be cherished by our seniors and our were from grade 3 to grade 6 and have arrived to Canada from students. Finally congratulations to the students for their amazing different parts of the world. They spoke different home languages. The work!  students interviewed the seniors who mostly came from Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.  The seniors shared their valuable experiences and Thanks  advice to the students.  Then the students wrote  short biographies about them.  They also wrote two voice poems about their similarities Mrs.Hasan and Mrs. Kapilan  and differences. This project was a partnership between these two schools.  The two ESL teachers Mrs. Hasan and Mrs. Kapilan ESL Teachers collaborated and guided the English Language Learners to make this project a success. Crescent Town Public School  Also thanks to Ms.Nazly Sultana and Ms.Ursula, the George Webster Public School coordinators from Harmony Hall, a club for seniors for supporting the project. May, 2020 First the students brainstormed their ideas to come up with their interview questions. The seniors were invited to our schools in February, 2020. Both the students and the seniors demonstrated great i

Dedication This book is dedicated to our doctors, nurses and to all essential service workers for their commitment and selfless services. We are in this fight against COVID-19 together! We will come out of this together!

Biographies of Seniors written by students

My name is Famiya and I interviewed Dr. Shibli. Dr. Shibli came to Canada because he wanted to visit his granddaughter.  Now he lives with his wife.  His school was a village school and he had to walk in the rainy and slippery roads. He had nice friends and he enjoyed going to school with his friends. He used to play soccer at the school ground. His school time was wonderful and pleasant. When Dr. Shibli was a child, he played soccer and badminton. Dr.Shibli worked as a medical doctor in Bangladesh, Somalia and Saudi Arabia. He remembered horrible days during the independence war of  Bangladesh in 1971 Now he feels happy as a senior. He also spends time meeting with seniors and playing badminton, attending tea and chat at Harmony Hall, a club for seniors at Crescent Town. He enjoys living in Canada because Canadians are friendly and  the Canadian government is kind to all.   He misses his country because his family members are still there. And he also misses lovely people and nice weather in Bangladesh.   His advice for me is to practice a disciplined life, study well, obey my parents and behave with good manners to everybody.  Also be an ideal and to be a good person. Biography of Dr. Shibli by Famiya  Portrait by Famiya My name is Famiya.  I interviewed Dr. Shibli who is a senior and lives at Crescent Town.     Dr. Shibli was born on August 1,1950 in Bangladesh. He speaks Bangla. Dr. Shibli came to Canada on September 21, 2015 with his wife and two kids.  4

Our names are Jordan and Diana.  We interviewed Mr. Shaikh, who is a senior and lives at Crescent Town.    Mr. Shaikh was born in 1951 in Bangladesh. He speaks Bangla.  He played soccer, volleyball and a special type of sport called ha do do. He worked as a marketing  office manager. He  came to Canada  in 1995. He had to walk 12 km and cross the river to go to school. Mr. Shaikh feels good and happy as a senior. Portrait by Diana 5

Ms.Rehana We, Faiza and Retaj interviewed Ms. Rehana Ms. Sultana was born on December 23, in Bangladesh. She speaks Bangla.  Ms. Sultana came to Canada in 2013 with her husband. Her son sponsored her to Canada. In Bangladesh, she lived with her husband. Now she lived with her husband at Crescent Town.  Ms. Sultana played with dolls made from cloth.  She is a homemaker and a social worker.  Ms Sultana likes her life as a senior. She goes to senior club. She does yoga, body fitness and tea and chat.  She walked to school. She wore a uniform. Her teacher was good. When she did anything wrong, she had to leave the classroom. Her best memory was  when she became  a mother of her two kids. Ms. Sultana advised us to be honest, always respect elders and love people.   Portrait by Faiza 6

Portrait My name is Nourin.  I interviewed Ms.Rehana, who By Nourin is a senior and lives at Crescent Town.                                                                Ms. Rehana was born on November12,1960 in Bangladesh  and speaks Bangla. Ms. Rehana came to Canada in 2018 with her husband.  In Bangladesh she lived with her small family. Now she lives with her grandchildren. Ms.Rehana likes to play games. It’s called hadoo doo ( a local sport of Bangladesh), Ludo and Carrom board.  Ms.Rehana likes her life as a seniors.She goes to Harmony Club to do yoga, exercise and meet with her friends. Ms. Rehana went to school as a child. Her teacher was good. She finished primary school in Bangladesh. She is a homemaker. When Ms.Rehana’s grandchildren came to Canada, she was emotionally upset. Ms.Rehana likes me to respect and obey my parents.  She wants me to study well. 7

MR.AKTHER We Vibhs and Afraz interviewed Mr. Akther, who is a senior and lives at Crescent Town.   Mr. Akhter was born on 5th of October,1952 in Bangladesh. He speaks Bengali. He came to Canada in May, 2013 with his wife. He played cricket, hockey and football when he was a child. He feels great to be a senior. He spends his time on his laptop. Harmony Hall is a nice meeting place. He said that his school was very nice and his teacher was very good.  He went to school in a school bus. His advice for me was to study and to interact with other people. Finally he said that he missed his home country a little bit. Portrait by Vibha 8

MS. THEVATHURAI BY SHAHRIYA My name is Shahriya. For my biography project I interviewed a senior from the Portrait Harmony Hall. Her name is Ms.Thevathurai. by She is from Sri Lanka. She speaks Tamil at home. Shahriya She came to Canada in 2008 because of the war. Her  son sponsored her and her husband. Before coming to Canada she lived with her husband.  Now she lives with her son. She is a homemaker. When she was in school her teacher was nice. She walked to school with her friends. When she was a child, she played hide and seek and tag with her friends. As a child, she used to play in front of her house. She feels happy to visit Harmony Hall. She is very happy to live in Canada. 9

MS. MANOHARAN BY SINA My name is Sina For my Biography project I interviewed a senior from the Portrait Harmony Hall. Her name is Maria Manoharan. by Sina She is from Jaffna, Sri Lanka. She speaks Tamil. She lived with her family before coming to Canada. She came to Canada in 2005. Now she lives with her son. She said that her teacher was kind, nice and good. She was a teacher. She likes being a senior and now she spends her time volunteering, by helping other seniors. She likes to live in Canada because it is a peaceful country. She missed her home country because she missed her family friends and relatives. Her advice for me was to study well and be a good student. Also be a good citizen for Canada, love everyone and avoid  bad habits.  10

MS. SARASWATHY BY LEVENTE My name is Levente. For my Biography project, I interviewed a senior from the Harmony Hall. Her name is Ms. Saraswathy. She is from Malaysia. She speaks Tamil. She came to Canada in 2001. Before coming to Canada she lived with her husband and children in Malaysia. Back in her country, Ms. Saraswathy was working as a nurse and a writer. She has written a few Tamil books. Her most interesting memories were visiting Romania and India. She enjoys her time volunteering in Harmony Hall and a women’s club. Her advice for me is to help needy people and respect older people. 11

Mr. Param by Nacira and Baruc For my biography project we interviewed a senior from the Harmony Hall. His name is Param. He was born in Sri Lanka. His language is Tamil. He came to Canada in 1996 due to the civil war. Before coming to Canada he was living with his family. Now he lives with his wife. When he was a child, he walked to get to school and all was good. When he was a child he liked to play soccer and cricket. He was a statistical officer in the government department. He shared with me interesting memories from his life and he told me about his job, married life, family life and relations. He feels as a senior very happy. He spends his time being a volunteer in a school. He enjoys helping the needy. In Harmony Hall, he does yoga and participates in all activities. He loves living in Canada because it's a peaceful and a multicultural country. He misses his home country because it's a tropical country with all resources. He gives us advice to be disciplined, truthful and helpful.  12

Two Voice Poems by A poem in two voices offers a Students from unique way to Crescent Town Public showcase two distinct School perspectives or to compare and contrast two ideas and thoughts. Here the students compared their similarities and difference with the seniors.

Two Voice Poem by Afraz I live with my mom and dad.  We celebrate Eid. My name is Afraz. I live with my wife. We  came from Bangladesh. My name is   Mr. Akther 14 I am a student  We speak Bangla. I am a senior. I came to Canada in 2019.  We live at Crescent Town.  I came to  Canada in 2013. I was born in 2011. We both like football. I was born in 1941.

Two Voice Poem by Famiya I live with my mom and dad.  We celebrate Ramadan and  Eid. My name is Famiya. I live with my  wife. We  came from Bangladesh. I want to be an artist. My name is Dr. Shibli. We love Canada. I am a student.  I am a medical doctor. We speak Bangla. I play with slime and dolls. I am a senior . I play badminton and soccer. I came to Canada in  2017.  I am happy as a student. We live at Crescent Town  I am happy as a senior. I came to Canada on September 21,2015. I was born on October 4, 2011. We both miss our home country. I was born on August 1,1950. 15

Two Voice Poem by Vibha I live with my wife. I speak Kannada.  My name is Vibha. I speak Bangla.  My name is Mr. Akhter. I want to be an artist I am a student . I was a marketing officer. I am a senior. I came to Canada in 2019. We live at Crescent Town  I came to Canada in May 2013. I was born in India. We both like football.  I was born in Bangladesh. I live with my mom and dad and my baby sister.  16

Two Voice Poem by Retaj Syria. We love school. My name is Retaj. I was born in Bangladesh. We celebrate Eid. I live with my mom and dad.  My name is Ms. Sultana. I live with my  husband. I am a student.   I speak Arabic and I came from We love  Canada. Jordan. I am a senior. I speak Bangla and I came from I came to Canada in  Bangladesh. 2016. I played with Lol dolls. We live in Crescent  Town. I played with home made dolls. I came to Canada in 2013. I was born in 17

Two Voice Poem by Diana I was born in Ukraine. How are we same? I was born in Bangladesh. How are we different? I live with my mom and dad.  My name is Diana. I live with my husband.  We love Canada. I celebrate Christmas and speak Russian My name is Mr. Shaikh. I celebrate Eid and speak Bangla.  I am a student. When I grow up  I want to be a singer  I am a senior. like Ariana Grande.  I came to Canada in 2015. I was a marketing office manager. We live at Crescent Town  I just walk to school. I came to Canada in 1995. I crossed a river to go to school. I was born in 2011. We both like to play volleyball.   18 I was born in 1951.

Two Voice Poem by Jordan I speak Cantonese and celebrate Chinese new year. My name is Jordan. I speak Bangla and celebrate Eid. My name is Mr. Shaikh. I came from Hong Kong. I am a student.  I came from Bangladesh. We live in Crescent Town. When I grow up I want to be a I am a senior.  policeman. I was born in 2011 in Hong Kong. I was a marketing officer.  We both like Canada. I was born in Bangladesh in 1951. 19 I live with my mom, dad, brother and grandparents. I live with my  wife.

Two Voice Poem by Faiza I was born on December 23. I live with my mom and dad.  My name is Faiza. We celebrate Eid. We  came from Bangladesh. I live with my husband. My name is Ms.Sultana. I want to be a doctor. I am a student.  We walk to school. We speak Bangla. I was a social worker. I am a senior.  I don’t wear a uniform to school. I came to Canada in 2018.  We were born in Bangladesh. We live at Crescent Town  I wore a uniform to school. I came to Canada in 2013. My best memory was when I came to I was born in 2010. school in Canada. We both like to play My best memory is when I became a with dolls. mother. 20

Two Voice Poem by Nourin  I was born in 1960.  How are we same? I live with my sisters, mom and dad.  How are we different? We celebrate Eid. My name is Nourin. I live with my son and grandchildren. We  came from Bangladesh. I am happy as a student. My name is Ms. Rehana. We are Muslims. I am a student.  I am happy as a senior. We speak Bangla. I like playing with slime and sand.  I am a senior.  We were born in Bangladesh.  I came to Canada in 2019.  I like cooking. We live in Crescent Town.  I like yoga. I came to Canada in 2018. I like to exercise. I was born in 2010.  We both like to read books. 21

PHOTO GALLERY Photo Gallery of students and seniors from Harmony Hall Crescent Town School and George Webster School 1 of 14

We all come from different parts of the world and Canada is our home now.

Acknowledgement: Acknowledgement: Students from Crescent Town and Seniors from Harmony Hall Mr. Akther George Webster Schools Ms.Manoharan Mr.Param Abner Ms.Rehana Afraz Ms. Saraswathy Axel Mr. Shaikh Baruc Ms. Sultana Diana Ms.Thevathurai Faiza Famiya Harmony Hall Jana Ms.Nazly Sultana Jordan Ms.Urmila Krisztian Levente Teacher Martin Ms.Kim, Crescent Town Mate School Retaj Shahriya 24 Sina Nourin Nacira Vibha