Situated in the Horn of Africa, bordered by Sudan, Ethiop, Djibouti and along on its eastern coastline by the Red Sea, Eritrea is a multi-ethnic country of 10 national languages spoken among its six million inhabitants.

It is a land of diversity, lush topography, abundant wildlife.

Also, sadly, of historical conflict and suppression. The red in its flag represents the blood shed in the fight for freedom and independence.

A fierce border war that would go on to claim tens of thousands of lives was at its height when, well over two decades ago, Teber Zeru made the decision to flee the land of her birth and the military presence of invading Ethiopian forces.

On the way to a waiting car that would be the first step in smuggling her, a sister and friend to Stockholm, Sweden, and sanctuary with a brother who lived and studied there, between the house and the car door, a bullet bit deeply into her arm.

Teber was all of 19 years old.

"When you're a little kid," confesses Oliver Kylington, peeling off gear following Thursday's morning skate at the Scotiabank Saddledome, "and your mom tells you that, maybe you think: 'My mom got shot? That's cool.'

"Like in a comic book or something on TV, right?

"But then, pretty quickly, you start getting more perspective and begin to realize how scary it must have been. I mean, to actually be … shot. Living in a country where people are fleeing because of what's happening there. You hear about it but you can't imagine it.

"Not really.

"I can't remember exactly when the question popped up - I'd have been seven or eight, I'd guess - but she's always wanted me to be aware of her story.

"You can't hear it and not be affected by it."