GRIT Ed. 9 | Family Matters - Flipbook - Page 27
The Satchu Family
I
t often happens that who we
are as individuals is more about
Life In Kenya
One
of
the
most
memorable
influence than personality. So,
instances Rustom remembers from
in a way, our individuality is
Reza and Asif’s childhood was one
often derived from impacts and
in which they would make a ritual
experiences that shape us, especially
out of their morning routine. Rustom
in our formative years. More often
recalls them during the mornings,
than not, those influences come from
brushing their teeth in the bathroom,
our parents, teachers and people we
while he asked them multiplication
work closely with as children.
questions. “The funniest thing is they
won’t leave the bathroom. We got
It is no surprise then that some of
tired and bored and had to tell them
the most remarkable people credit
‘no more, get out’ but it’s amazing
their friends, teachers and parents
how interested they were [in the
for their success. What may come
exercise].”
as a surprise though is at different
stages and times in their lives, the
Perhaps
it
had
something
to
roles of the people they value are
do with the time they spent in
often interchangeable and, at times,
Kenya, the country where they
it is possible that only a couple of
were born, and spent part of their
people play the role of mentor, or
childhood. The boys often found the
friend and parent. That is perhaps
curriculum at schools unchallenging.
what makes those relationships so
“Reza skipped a grade, when we
special.
came to Canada. He was only
seven years old, and Asif was five
I have had the privilege of working
when we left Kenya, and decided
with some of the brightest and
to settle in Canada.” When I asked
most
Canadian
them about the reasons they chose
entrepreneurs. People with great
to leave that life behind, they were
visions and the ability to execute.
quick to respond, and almost all of
Reza Satchu is one of those people.
thier reasons centered around their
Over the years, Reza has been an
children.
accomplished
incredible mentor and guide, leading
a generation of entrepreneurs and
Besides the political situation being
shaping NEXT Canada with each
a deterrent to staying, Kenya lacked
graduating cohort.
good secondary education, which
1973, Kenya
responsibilities on Zarina.
“Zarina found work easily. She did
more in those first years because I
was still trying to find something,”
Rustom recalled. But despite the
hardships and the temptation to go
back to their familiar life in Kenya,
the couple persevered. Despite the
would have meant compromising
But knowing Reza is also knowing
on the children’s education. But the
Rustom and Zarina, his parents
major reason was, that they wanted
and Asif, his brother. I find it
a better future for their children, and
heartwarming that in conversations
Canada was the ideal choice.
with Reza, it is not uncommon to
hear mentions of Rustom and Zarina.
Building A Canadian Future
Perhaps that is why whenever I have
Their first home in Canada was in
the opportunity to meet with them,
a two-bedroom apartment, located
I am tempted to ask what Reza and
deep in the city of Scarborough.
Asif were like as children.
They would look through the buy/
sell section of the newspaper to get
Recently, I had the opportunity to
the furniture they needed. It was a
have a heart to heart conversation
very different life from the one they
with Mr. & Mrs. Satchu, and this story
had lived in Kenya; the move was not
is an exerpt from that discussion.
easy. Rustom had a hard time finding
Kyle Winters, CEO, NEXT Canada
a job he liked, which put most of the
1976, Guildwood, Scarborough
27