From Mali to World Juniors: What’s keeping Canadians from home at Christmas

The holiday season is often full of cheer, but it can also be a difficult time of the year if you aren’t able to spend it with your loved ones.

Whether it’s a profession that takes someone away from home or personal reasons, 630 CHED’s I won’t be home for Christmas series recognizes those who aren’t able to spend time with family and friends this season.

Members of the Canadian Armed Forces are spending Christmas in West Africa without their loved ones.

Lt. Melanie Aqiqi​ is the Public Affairs Officer with Directorate Air Force Public Affairs. She said the thing she will miss the most is seeing her children’s faces on Christmas morning.

LISTEN BELOW:  I won’t be home for Christmas: Lieutenant Melanie Aqiqi​ discusses Christmas in West Africa

All 250 members on tour will be celebrating together.

Though it doesn’t feel quite like Christmas at camp, Capt. Nick Zimmerman with CFB Edmonton said they enjoy celebrations.

“We have had a couple of Christmas movie nights. This week we’ve got Die Hard, everyone’s favourite Christmas movie. We’re decorating our military equipment and parading around.”

The group also got a surprise visit from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

WATCH BELOW: Mercedes Stephenson is in Mali where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau paid a surprise visit to Canadian troops for the Holidays.

1:10 Trudeau visits Canadian troops on peacekeeping mission in Mali

Major Andrew Webb with CFB Edmonton said a different type of family surrounds them at camp.

“We’re making the best of what we’ve got,” said Webb.

For all three, this is the first time they’ve been deployed over Christmas.

Major Webb said he will be missing his family the most.

“It was supposed to be [my wife and I’s] first Christmas together. But, we have the camaraderie here. I’m going to miss the snow and my mom’s home baking. We’ll make the best of everything we have here. The outpouring of support from Canadians back home is outstanding.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It was supposed to be [my wife and I's] first Christmas together. But, we have the camaraderie here. I'm going to miss the snow and my mom's home baking. We'll make the best of everything we have here. The outpouring of support from Canadians back home is outstanding."

For those in the professional sports community, the holiday season doesn’t always coincide with a hectic schedule.

This year, Edmonton Oilers 2018 first-round draft pick Evan Bouchard will be spending his first Christmas away from family.

LISTEN BELOW:  I won’t be home for Christmas: Canadian World Junior team member Evan Bouchard spends first Christmas away from home.

He said it’s for “good reason”, as he will be playing as a defenceman on the Canadian World Junior team.

“I’ll get to see my family after the game,” said Bouchard.

Edmonton Oiler Tobias Rieder is spending Christmas with his girlfriend, while his family remains at home in Germany.

“Usually my parents make the trip over to spend Christmas with me, but this year it didn’t work out,” the Edmonton forward said.

Defenceman Caleb Jones said it can be tough to coordinate schedules over the holiday season.

Alfred Hooulahan, meanwhile, is trying to detox in the Breakout program at Hope Mission, and that’s where he will be staying for Christmas.

LISTEN BELOW: I won’t be home for Christmas: Man detoxing at Hope Mission in Edmonton

“I was a crack addict for a lot of years in my life. I went through a couple treatment programs, but this year I have a lovely woman in my life,” said Hooulahan. “I want to do things right and become a proper man and take care of my responsibilities.”

He said the decision was one of the hardest of his life.

“Just admitting I have a problem, that’s been the hardest thing. Taking steps to be a good person again, to not commit crime or do drugs.”

Hooulahan said he hasn’t made plans for Christmas Day, but will be reaching out to his family.

Elsewhere in the world, a Spruce Grove man is working in Tanzania with his wife over the holiday season.

Brian Allemekinders is the deputy director of Canada’s International Assistance Program.

LISTEN BELOW: I won’t be home for Christmas: Spruce Grove man working in Tanzania

“It’s really warm here,” Allemekinders described. “It’s green, not white. It’s funny because my wife and I were coming home from work today and we were commenting on how it’s hard to get into the Christmas spirit when you don’t see Christmas music or decorations that you get in a Canadian setting.”

This isn’t his first Christmas away from home. He’s lived all over the world, including Korea, California and Bangladesh.

“We’ve been through this before, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy,” he said. “There are a lot of factors and challenges associated with this.

“We’ve got two kids here with us, and two kids that are young adults in Canada. It’s not easy.

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He said being away at Christmas has taught his family a valuable lesson.

“What we’ve learned is Christmas is about family, being with the people you love and care about. For the most part, that’s where we are.”