Zakiya and Kawa

Zakiya carried her son Kawa in her heart for years until a joyful reunion in Toronto last December.

Almost two decades ago, Zakiya was separated from Kawa when she fled Iraq. Zakiya was safe, but a big piece of her heart was left behind. For years, Zakiya faced obstacle after obstacle as she tried to bring Kawa to Canada.

When war broke out in Iraq, her anguish intensified. Her home town was devastated by bombing. Kawa experienced harassment by US soldiers, suspecting him of a crime he did not commit, and by Iraqi militants, anxious to recruit him to their cause. Caught in the middle of a war he did not want to fight, Kawa fled to Syria.

Zakiya called on friends from the Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto, Toronto United Mennonite Church and the Iraqi community to support her in an application for refugee sponsorship.

After months of anxious waiting, the good news arrived - Kawa was coming. Zakiya was ecstatic! A sun broke through the heavy clouds of sadness and fear, built up over years of separation. Her son - that missing piece of her heart - was finally returned to her.