2025 Welcoming Ottawa Ambassadors

In Afghanistan, the term “Apa” is a respectful way to address an elder. The respect and gratitude Razmohammad Nazari and his family feel for Shaida Apa (Shaida Jamani-Lakhani) is immeasurable.

“Shaida Apa is a very kind and dignified person,” says Razmohammad. “From the very first day when she met us at the airport on June 5, 2024, she has accompanied us in every stage of life and has helped us immensely.”

The journey to Canada from Afghanistan for Razmohammad, his mother and four younger siblings had been long and treacherous. In 2018, they travelled for a month to the Turkish border, often with Razmohammad carrying his four-year-old brother on his shoulders. As their father had passed away, at only 15 at the time, he had become the man of the family.

“Day and night we walked, only occasionally did we have a car to transport us,” remembers Razmohammad. “Sometimes we didn’t believe we would make it out safely.”

Living in Turkey was a struggle for the family.  Razmohammad couldn’t study there because he had to work to support his family.

The Nazari family were brought to Canada through the Focus Humanitarian Assistance (FOCUS) program which supports the resettlement of refugees who have been displaced by civil unrest, conflict or other causes. FOCUS was established in 1994 by the Ismaili community under the guidance of His Highness the Aga Khan.

“From the very first day we got to know our dear Shaida Apa, she has treated us with great fairness, honesty, and kindness,” says Razmohammad.

Shaida Lakhani assisted the family in their settlement journey in many ways. She helped them to find an apartment, obtain their identification cards, open their bank account, get health insurance cards and register the five children for school. She was instrumental in Razmohammad and his sister, Shamshad finding jobs. She also registered and paid for training so that Shamshad could qualify to work in a beauty salon, fulfilling her lifelong dream.

“Many times, she drove us wherever we needed to go, and helped us with a wide variety of tasks,” adds Razmohammad. “She even sometimes spent her own money to buy us different things, such as food.”

Razmohammad remembers a particularly difficult day shortly after arriving in Ottawa. “I was unfamiliar with many rules and regulations in this new country and I encountered a problem with public transportation,” he explains. “I asked Shaida Apa for help, and she showed up to immediately.”

Recently she also helped the family to negotiate a lease for an affordable apartment.

“When I came to Canada as a Ugandan refugee in 1972, I decided I would help wherever I can,” explains Shaida. She joined the settlement community as a volunteer in 2006 and has been part of the FOCUS team of volunteers from the Canadian Ismaili community for over a year.

“The Nazaris are a beautiful family,” remarks Shaida. “They have experienced so much upheaval in their lives. The mother has raised them well. They are so respectful and have a strong work ethic. I was incredibly happy to meet them, learn about their story and how an uncle helped them to come to Canada.”

“It gives me comfort to help whoever needs help, says Shaida. “I learned this from my mother in Africa. I saw her deliver good meals to vulnerable people. I enjoy this work. Through my own experience, I can help them start a new life in Canada.”

In 2017 she retired after a 30-year career in finance. “I knew this was the type of work I wanted to do upon retirement,” she adds. “I visit them regularly and see them at the mosque. They know they can call me at anytime.”

She is clearly proud of Razmohammad’s and his siblings’ achievements. The 22-year-old is balancing family commitments with studying at an adult high school and a job Shopper’s Drug Mart. “His boss is very happy with him,” beams Shaida. A younger brother recently participated in a sporting competition in Québec City where he took home a medal.

The Nazari family feels like you can only meet someone as kind and personable as Shaida Apa once in a lifetime. “We consider her an angel on earth and ourselves lucky people to know her,” concludes Razmohammad. “If I could write a book titled The Kindness of Shaida Apa, it would take countless pages and much time before it would be finished.”