By Wael Rabeay and Kimberly Elder
Through the Eyes of Two Young Volunteers
It was a unique experience to witness the excitement on their faces at the XNA airport. Their expressions held a beautiful mix of shyness, love, and anticipation. With flowers in hand and signs reading “Welcome to America” in Arabic, Talia and Eliza waited eagerly for our newest neighbors to step off the plane and arrive at their new home in Northwest Arkansas. You might think the story begins there at the airport, but it actually began much earlier.
Talia and Eliza’s journey with Canopy NWA started when they volunteered with their families to help prepare a home for the Salim family. Talia, age 11, recalls, “We got involved with Canopy through my mom’s friend Joanna, the Canopy leader. I was VERY excited to set up the house. I loved putting the rooms together and making sure it felt cozy. I liked going around the house to figure out what else might be needed.”
Omar, the youngest member of the Salim family at age 14, remembers feeling anxious when his family landed at XNA. He had heard so much about America and how big and different it is. “I was surprised when I saw all these happy faces waiting to welcome us,” he says. “I was so happy to see their Arabic signs too.”
“Shokran gazilan, you did everything you could to make us feel comfortable and welcomed.” – Omar
Many people help friends or neighbors move, but it is something entirely different when two young girls pour their hearts into preparing a home for people they have never met. Talia says that helping set up the Salim family’s house made her feel like she was helping them start their life again in the United States. Eliza, age 13, agrees: “I loved setting up the house, and mainly loved that Talia and I got to spend time with Katie and Izzy to put the rooms together.”
Omar remembers walking into the home for the first time and seeing how the Circle of Welcome team had prepared everything. “Shokran gazilan, thank you so much,” he says. “You did everything you could to make us comfortable and welcomed. I felt like you were a part of my family.”
Talia also describes her feelings about meeting the Salim family. “Before we met, I felt shy knowing they spoke a different language. After we met, they knew more English than I expected, especially Omar. They were friendly through their smiles. We communicated through Omar and Google Translate.” Eliza expected it might be awkward at first, but she was excited to meet them. “After meeting them, I was surprised at how nice they were.”
“We hosted them for lunch, hung out at their house and did henna, went on a picnic, went out to lunch, and played games,” – Talia
As the family settled into their permanent home in Fayetteville, the girls continued spending time together. “We hosted them for lunch, hung out at their house and did henna, went on a picnic, went out to lunch, and played games,” Talia shares. “This weekend we are going to a Walton Arts show together. It should be fun!” She adds that she wishes they lived closer so they could see each other more often.
Omar says he and his family deeply appreciate everything their Circle of Welcome team and Canopy did for them. “Whatever we needed, our team helped with. We talked through Google Translate. We had many conversations about how we lived in Egypt, our culture, and sports.” He remembers the social events they attended with Carol and other team members. “They took us out to eat and Carol invited us to their home. The first time I was very shy and happy at the same time. We played games like dominoes and ping pong.”
Talia has learned about the family’s long journey from Sudan to Egypt and eventually to the United States. She remembers feeling sad that they arrived during snowfall. She says, “I have learned about their religion. One of them prayed at our house when they were here for lunch.”
Both girls have witnessed the challenges the Salim family faced in the beginning: finding jobs, managing limited money, adapting to the weather, and not being able to drive at first. Talia notes that the Salim family’s house is farther away than the last family they supported, which made visiting harder.
Eliza says her favorite activity with the Salim family was hosting them for dinner. “It has been a fun experience and a learning opportunity.” For Talia, this experience has changed her perspective. “I understand that people have a lot less than us, and we can always help. Sometimes just having a friendly face can be helpful.” She encourages other families to support newcomers: “Our family’s time and kindness can make a big difference. Why welcome newcomers? Because they need help.”
“Our family’s time and kindness can make a big difference. Why welcome newcomers? Because they need help.”
Eliza adds, “Through this process, I’ve watched them get a credit card, a house, jobs, buy a car, make new friends even when most people speak a different language, and adapt to new food. I’ve learned a lot from this.”
Omar says the support from their team made a real difference. “We did not feel alone in the U.S. They were with us the whole time.”
Finally, when asked to describe Canopy in one word, Talia chose “Life-changing,” Eliza chose “Awesome,” and Omar said there is no word that can fully express how he feels about Canopy and the help his family received.
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