Despite all the shivering and chattering of teeth during a frigid winter in Prince George, the children of Mamadou Tounkara still choose Canada as their country of choice.
The Tounkara family arrived from the Republic of Guinea in July to be reunited with father Mamadou whom they had not seen for 11 years.
They found this first winter rather daunting to say the least, Mamadou told The Citizen and Jeane Clough from Dick Harris' office who acted as interpreter during the interview.
"The first time it snowed, the children woke me up to come and see this fluffy white stuff covering everything," said Mamadou.
But the novelty soon wore off as temperatures dropped and cold seeped in, he said.
The family's home temperature has been kept at about 80 degrees to keep them warm, and Mamadou, who's had some years to adjust, said he just had to have his bedroom window open a little to sleep.
"Most times when I saw the children, they were wearing their coats non-stop," said Clough.
Mamadou admitted there were times when his wife, Fatoumata, cried, and wanted to go back home where it was warm and she didn't have to drink hot water to stave off the cold.
But a lot of that was homesickness for her eight siblings and parents left behind in Guinea.
"She's okay now," said Mamadou. "We're looking forward to having a new Canadian-born baby any time now."
Children Abrahim, 12, Mariam, 16 and Amadou, 19, who is studying English at the College of New Caledonia and works part time at Walmart, all say they are happy to be in Canada and would not choose to return to Guinea.
The family celebrated Christmas in their own way, but not with turkey which is frowned upon in their home country. Rather the focus is on chicken, goat and beef, and costumes like those found in Mardi Gras celebrations.
When Abrahim, who makes friends quickly, and Mariam became involved in school activities, they learned about skating and sliding, but didn't pursue winter sports any further.
"We just ran as fast as we could from one place to the other," said Mariam.
"Every Sunday we go to the Aquatic Centre to swim, and they all like swimming, including Amadou," said Mamadou who owns the Africa Cafe on 15th Avenue where the entire family helps out after school and on weekends."
Last year, the Prince George community raised $12,000 to fly the three children and their mother to Canada from Africa.
In 1999, Mamadou escaped from jail in his native land to come to Canada. Perceived to be a supporter of an overthrown government, he was jailed and tortured for five years by the new regime.
He came to Northern B.C. as a tree planter and worked for 11 years before gaining his immigrant status allowing him to bring his family here to join him.
