Young family surprised by Christmas Wish car giveaway

A soon-to-be mom was left nearly speechless on Tuesday in Saskatoon, after representatives from C95 and Precision Autobody presented her with a new car as part of the 10th annual Christmas Wish campaign.

Nya Paul, who emigrated from South Sudan 14 years ago, is pregnant and has cerebral palsy — which has made it difficult for her to get out of her family’s basement suite unless she borrows her brother’s car.

She and her husband Majock Kuch were shocked to open the door Tuesday afternoon, seeing an army from the Christmas Wish campaign waiting to cram into their small living space with enough gifts to fill their living room.

“I was completely surprised,” Paul said.

After the initial gift drop off, she was led outside to her driveway where a 2014 Ford Fiesta — refurbished by Precision Autobody — was waiting.

Got to witness a fun moment today, when the 10th annual Precision Autobody Christmas Wish people presented Nya, an immigrant from South Sudan — who is pregnant and has cerebral palsy, and her husband Majock with a new car. #yxe pic.twitter.com/DgiT5J3Bxp

— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) December 18, 2018

“This means everything,” she said after the presentation.

“A car will keep memories we’ll treasure forever … whether it’s a road trip or something else.”

The family also receives free insurance from Galon Insurance, gas from Golf’s Car Wash and gifts including housewares and baby supplies.

Paul’s husband Majock arrived in Canada from South Sudan in June, and he said the Christmas surprise was yet another example of the generosity he’s seen since immigrating.

“People are really caring, really working together as a community,” he said.

“It’s given me an idea that we’re not by ourselves, we’re part of a community.”

The Christmas Wish program works by contacting community leaders and asking for nominations of families in need, then choosing multiple recipients for each year.

Paul, 23, and her husband are heavily involved at St. Mary’s Church near their home, which led to their nomination by Sister Carol Borreson.

“They’re a really special couple,” she said.

“They’ve worked very hard for everything they have, for where they are. There’s a lot of new possibility opening up for them (with the gifts and car).”

Borreson said the idea of nominating them came after Paul mentioned to her how difficult it was for the family to go about their lives without a vehicle.

“The next day I got a call from (Precision Autobody’s) Jennifer (Giocoli) about the program, and she asked if I could think of any families to nominate,” Borreson said.

“When she mentioned the car, I said certainly Nya and Majock are a family who come to mind.”

Two other families also received presents for her children and gift cards to help make lives easier.