Everyone has a story to tell and Latif Kacuri’s story involves fleeing his home country of Kosovo and living in the east coast of Canada in refugee camps. It’s full of horror, sadness, and pain, but all the bad is overpowered because Kacuri said he’s always been full of optimism and looks for the good in every situation.
No matter what Kacuri had to go through to better his life he did it, and because of that he finally got to call Kelowna home.
In June 1999 Kacuri and his family were living in Gagetown, New Brunswick as refugees when they were approved to head to British Columbia.
Kacuri’s brother was approved first for a sponsorship through the United Church and went to Kelowna before anyone else in the Kacuri family. Latif remembers calling his brother and his brother convincing him to move to British Columbia. During the lucky third phone call Kacuri agreed that if he could find sponsorship for everyone else they would all travel to Kelowna.
Kacuri was in luck because Kelowna Masjid, the Islamic Centre in Kelowna chose to sponsor the rest of the family.
It didn’t take Kacuri long after arriving in Kelowna to immerse himself in the Okanagan lifestyle. The man arrived in the city on a Sunday and when the sun came up on Monday he was sitting at a desk at the Multicultural Society eager to learn English.
Kacuri would hitch a ride with a friend he made to the ESL classes every day and would bus back to Rutland, where he was living after the classes. Kacuri said although he didn’t have the greatest English skills and the bus wasn’t the easiest, he made it work.
“I asked the bus driver where to go and how to take the bus. I gave him some idea where I was living but it took me 30 minutes to find my home, where I was living. The bus actually went one or two stops further, so I had to walk back after I got off. I found the bus really hard.”
After nearly three months of English classes Kacuri went to Okanagan College where he completed the ESL program. After knowing the language Kacuri felt more comfortable with starting a life in Kelowna, the only thing missing was a job and his 10-year-old daughter who was living in Ukraine. His daughter eventually was able to make her way to Kelowna seven months after her father arrived.
Before having to flee Kosovo Kacuri had received a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and he was hoping to work in that field in Canada, but things decided to go a little differently for the father.
As many do when they first come to the Okanagan Kacuri started to work for a winery. Arrow Leaf Cellars in Lake Country is owned by a family who had come from Switzerland. Kacuri said as the owners were immigrants they wanted to support other immigrants and Kacuri wanted to show the people of Kelowna how hard a refugee could work.
After two years of working in the winery Kacuri decided to go back to Okanagan College to further his education. He completed the Business Administration Accounting program because he realized jobs in the mechanical engineering field were not readily available in Kelowna. Kacuri went on to work with private businesses and government organizations as a bookkeeper, accountant, and a technician.
That wasn’t enough for Kacuri though who decided that he wanted to help other immigrants who picked Canada as their home. In 2009 Kacuri accepted a job with Kelowna Community Resources, within the Immigrant Services.
“Now, working with immigrants I am happy because I help new comers to integrate in Canada with my present job.”
The 61-year-old has also made it his mission to educate others when it comes to refugees. Kacuri has spoken at a handful of schools, the United Church, and the Islamic Centre about the refugee crisis and finding a home in a new country.
In 2001 he was presented with a recognition certificate from the federal government because of the work he has done.
Life is good for Kacuri nowadays, who said it wouldn’t have been such an easy transition without the help of many people.
“At that time we came many organizations and people wanted to know who came to Canada. They saw who you are and who you were in the past. Many families and organizations wanted to connect with us and I want to thank them.”
Kacuri continues to read as many books as he possibly can and also loves to garden. Back in Kosovo, Kacuri said his father had the most beautiful garden full of flowers and he loves gardening now in his memory, as he passed away almost three years ago.
The whole Kacuri family are all succeeding in life here in Canada. Kacuri’s daughter went on to post-secondary schooling in Montreal and is now completing her PhD in Toronto. Kacuri’s brother and wife are happy and enjoying Kelowna and their children have gone on to study and make some of the highest marks in their programs across Canada.
Although Kacuri is forever grateful for the warm welcome he received in Canada and in Kelowna, he said not all refugee stories have a happy ending.
This is a multi-part series by KelownaNow.com. Be sure to check back every Wednesday to learn more about Kacuri's story.
To read the previous articles in the series, click here.
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