‘We’re all brothers and sisters’: Yellowknife cab driver helps fellow evacuees in Calgary | 24CA News
His title is Abdel Karim Shalu. But Yellowknife residents affectionately check with him as ‘Kumo.’
“Just my regular customers from the North,” Shalu says with fun.
That affection has unfold to Calgary after he and his fellow residents had been evacuated from the Northwest Territories. Shalu drove in his cab down and the rides didn’t cease when he arrived — he’s providing free service to evacuees, lots of whom are staying close to the airport.
“I know people get help from the community or government but some places are not covered, like going shopping or laundry,” he explains. The bulk of his rides are to laundry mats.
The truth Shalu does it with out asking for fuel cash hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“Four or five times a day he’s downtown,” stated evacuee Wanetwassen Ylema. “It’s not easy for people you know? We don’t have anything to pay for a taxi.”
Beyond being a sort gesture, it’s additionally proving to be emotionally useful for individuals who are displaced.
“Sixty-eight per cent of our population has been evacuated. Many of the people in the North have never left the North”, stated N.W.T. Premier Caroline Cochrane. “They’re not familiar with big cities. I know it’s a struggle.”
And seeing a well-recognized face behind the wheel is a straightforward gesture that goes a good distance.
“They are my people. We are a small community we’re all brothers and sisters,” smiles Shalu. “We are in a bad situation so we do our best.”
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