Halifax, Nova Scotia!

Hi it's Suz again!

We arrived in Halifax on Thusday 11/5/10 and were introduced to our host families. I'm staying with Dick and Maria Hodgson who live on a beautiful home on the waterfront!



Thursday night for me was spent at my first vocational visit, attending the Metro Non-Profit Housing Assiciation AGM, an organisation dealing with homlessness in Halifax. It was completely fascinating, and was enriched by a performance by the "Shining Lights Choir" - a choir made up of homeless people, and people in assisted affordable housing. Their energy and enthusism was fantastic and I really enjoyed their performance!

On Friday morning the tem went on a guided our of "Pier 21" in Halifax, Canada's immigratio museum. 1 million people immigrated to Canada between 1928 and 1971, and 1 in 5 Canadians has a connection to an immigrant from that period. Immigrants included: French, Hungarians, Jewish, Estonians, Ukranians, Latvians, Lithuanians, Swedish and English war children.



Our tour guide was an immigrant himself and was able to share personal stories and show us his original paperwork and passport.

Of particular note was an immigrant vessel called “The Walnut” from 1948. The Walnut was built to carry 40 passengers, yet it carried 347 people into Canada on a 4 week voyage with only 2 toilets and 2 wash basins.

This picture demonstrates the size of The Walnut compared to typical immigration vessels.



After the tour of Pier 21, we visited Halifax Citadel, located in the middle of the city, high up on a hill. It as used by the British Army in the 1700's and 1800's.



We went inside the actual barracks and learned abbout a solidier's way of life during that time, and the significance of their uniforms. I even go to try one on!



Shannon with soldier:


Cate (very enthusiastic!!) with soldier:


Colin with soldier:


After touring the Citadel, we went on to do our first presentation at Halifax Northwest Club, and then spen the afternoon individually on vocational visits. Mine were FANTASTIC (thankyou Dick Hodgson!). I interviewed Claudia Jahn for over an hour, she's the Program Director of Halifax's "Community Action on Homelessness". I learned all about the challenges in Halifax regarding accommodation, employment and other community services. I learned about Canada's welfare system - who is eligible and what sort of income assistance is available.

I also interviewed Carol Charlebois from MNPHA - Metro Non Profit Housing Association, and toured a new affordable housing unit complex:



Suz