EVA
The contrast of cultures is difficult for any immigrant family, and one of the more striking differences Top Raj Gywali saw was the intensity of the elementary school education in Canada versus his previous home in Nepal.
Top Raj Gywali and his wife, Basanti, came to Canada from Nepal in June 2010. The following year, their daughter Eva was born in Toronto. After bouncing around from Toronto to Ottawa, the Gywalis finally settled in Edmonton, where they now make their home.
“The education system is a little bit different,” he says. “Eva doesn't take much to school in her bag (here). But in Nepal, students each have a bag that weighs around twenty pounds with all the textbooks, homework, notebooks and lunch!”
While they have gone back to visit Nepal a couple of times, the family has now fully embraced life in the country where Eva was born.
Top Raj is working retail in a shopping mall, while Basanti works at a Tim Hortons. Now 11 years old, Eva is entering sixth grade at John A. McDougall Elementary School, and her little sister Esha turned four years old this year.
Eva first heard about Free Play for Kids from her school, and she’s been an enthusiastic participant ever since. While COVID restrictions have prevented her parents from watching her play, Top Raj has nothing but good things to say about her time with Free Play.
“She doesn’t want to miss any days with Free Play,” he says, smiling.
“She enjoys Free Play, she can go to different areas for field trips, different playgrounds.” he says. “They have exercise, they have entertainment, they have time with other people, and they have experience socializing. The food program is another important part, which helps kids to learn how to make meals. ”
Just as much as the exercise and social aspect though, Top Raj appreciates the positive impact Free Play provides for low- and middle-income families too. Free Play’s doubling as not only a sports program, but as after-school care provides relief for the many families who depend on it.
“Daycare and Out of School care programs are expensive. Free Play has provided opportunity for us, even during the summertime with the all-day programs. They help [families] so they don’t have to worry about childcare.
“We can’t afford to go to Rogers Place to watch hockey games,” he says, laughing “and Eva came home once and said ‘I went to the hockey game with Free Play to watch the Oilers game!” Eva also got a certificate and hockey puck signed by Darnell Nurse.
Her parents are happy to have Eva play sports and enjoy new experiences with Free Play, and the hope is that she won’t be the only Gywali to participate.
“When Esha goes to school and Free Play,” Top Raj says, beaming, “hopefully she will enjoy it too!”
Written by Stefan Salegio
