From There to Here: Sallam Altawalbeh by Peri Hayes Sallam Altawalbeh was born and raised in Jordan. She had been residing and working in Saudi Arabia when her family courageously leapt toward growth. Alongside her husband, Khalid Alkhaldi, Sallam and their three adolescent children relocated to Canada during the summer of 2023. Asked what inspired this meaningful decision, Sallam describes their passion for postsecondary prospects: “In the beginning, it was about studying -- for our children to have further opportunities through receiving high-quality education at the universities here.” Upon their arrival to Canada, Sallam and her family spent temporary time in Montréal. She admits about this experience, “It was hard to live there, as French is not easy. For example, my kids love playing soccer. We placed multiple phone calls to find a field for them to practice and we couldn’t find one; no one spoke to us in English. At that point, we decided to continue exploring what will be a good fit for us. One of our friends was living in St. Thomas, and we came for a visit. When my family saw the city, we agreed that this feels right.” Speaking Arabic and English, the incredibly accomplished Sallam previously lectured in the English Department while working in Saudi Arabia: “We focused on building the foun- dational materials for speaking and studying English.” Presently, Sallam works in YWCA of St. Thomas-Elgin’s Before and After School Program. She increased her responsibilities this past year, taking on and thriving in the role of Supervisor. This year, Sallam and her family excitedly welcomed home their kitten, Milo. Reflecting on their experience in St. Thomas thus far, Sallam earnestly reveals, “Because it’s a different culture and environment, I was worried about how the community would accept us here in this small town. I was surprised by how easy this transition has been; our neighbours have been so nice. I remember when we were trying to rent a home while living in a hotel for two weeks, and it was hard to find a place to settle down. Finally, amidst our search, the renter who accepted us recognized how difficult our journey had been and he provided exactly what we needed at that time. He was so helpful with us, and I would love to thank him.” Some of their favourite local gems to explore are the scenic walking
trail around Lake Margaret, and the gorgeous parks: “We spent our whole first year in Pinafore Park.” As Sallam continues, “These local venues are beautiful and special to me. We love visiting new places, and I am always thinking about engaging more in the community; this applies to my kids too, as I encourage them to do this -- to be part of our community here in St. Thomas.” As Sallam graciously concludes, “I must credit the schools. My youngest was in Grade 2 when we arrived, and he spoke zero English at the time. I remember how the teacher was communicating with him, making a big effort to ensure that he was included and understood. We arrived here, and have felt so comfortable ever since.”
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Page 6 Hometown St. Thomas • June 2026
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