Thank you to the chair and the committee for having me and allowing me to share my experience with you.
My name is Hayat Said. I came to Canada in 2011. I originally came from Syria. Coming to Canada was really hard because one of my struggles was that I didn't speak English, and my family didn't speak English as well. Getting introduced to the Boys and Girls Club by my mom was really helpful because I'd been bullied before I came here. Coming here was really supportive and the Boys and Girls Club helped me with my English. My experience was really good because I was really shy. I couldn't even talk to anybody for two seconds because I was just afraid that I was going to get bullied there, too. Getting the help that I needed, learning English, and getting the support, like being involved in spelling bees, being with the leadership programs, and giving me the opportunity to be the president of the leadership program, helping the members give back and teaching them how to be a good and strong leader, was really helpful.
They supported me with everything. My school was really a big part of it. I wasn't doing really well at school, so when I got introduced to the Boys and Girls Club I started having high grades, and my family started to learn some English because of the club. Now my siblings have joined the Boys and Girls Club of Canada, in Ottawa. It was really helpful, and it's my second home, honestly. I got the opportunity to be a young volunteer, and now I have over 800 volunteer hours. I enjoy going there every day because I want to give back what they have given me. I learned English over three years, and it's been a crazy experience, and I wanted to give that back.
I want all refugees to have the opportunity to learn English and get experiences like these, and speak out about their experiences. Also, the club is giving me the experience of working with them and being a part of the Boys and Girls Club, and now I'm going to graduate with a scholarship and go to Algonquin College to study ECE, that is, early childhood education.
I've been really happy and blessed to be with the Boys and Girls Club, which is really supportive and has given me the education and the help, and I would love to answer any questions.