For some days I have tried to write about my stay in Canada and not sure if I was lazy or if I just didn’t have words to express my good feelings about this wonderful Country.
Today finally decided to write this episode at once and share with you the paramount and good things I was able to live there.
The lovely green forests, the First Nations man or woman, the very cold weather, the people, the cost of living, the Rocky Mountains and more are definitely calling me to go back to this North American Country.
First thing that was incredible when I arrived in Canada in 2004 was the way people accepted to share their life with some African Volunteers. We were in teams of different African volunteers arriving in Canada to volunteer for Canada World Youth – Jeunesse Canada Monde.
First week or month for sure it was kind of strange and somehow a bit of a disaster. I remember arriving on the first day at my Host Family House at dinner time. The food was on the table but I wasn’t feeling like eating. Canadians use to have big meals at night when in Mozambique we prefer to have big lunch and a very small meal at night. My host family was just a Woman and her husband. The funny thing from the first meal with them was that they were surprise to see me sitting at the table, using the fork and Knife same way as they use. They had a very different view of Africa that made them think that Africa is just what they see on news. So they kinda feel more embarrassed with me by not knowing what behaviors to expect from me than myself with them.
Communication was something that I really had to work on and very hard as at that time I couldn’t speak any English. Sign language and my best friend dictionary on the first month were what we‘ve mostly used at home and work places.
First thing that was incredible when I arrived in Canada in 2004 was the way people accepted to share their life with some African Volunteers. We were in teams of different African volunteers arriving in Canada to volunteer for Canada World Youth – Jeunesse Canada Monde.
First week or month for sure it was kind of strange and somehow a bit of a disaster. I remember arriving on the first day at my Host Family House at dinner time. The food was on the table but I wasn’t feeling like eating. Canadians use to have big meals at night when in Mozambique we prefer to have big lunch and a very small meal at night. My host family was just a Woman and her husband. The funny thing from the first meal with them was that they were surprise to see me sitting at the table, using the fork and Knife same way as they use. They had a very different view of Africa that made them think that Africa is just what they see on news. So they kinda feel more embarrassed with me by not knowing what behaviors to expect from me than myself with them.
Communication was something that I really had to work on and very hard as at that time I couldn’t speak any English. Sign language and my best friend dictionary on the first month were what we‘ve mostly used at home and work places.
Quite surprising after two months representing my Country in a Canadian Community, I was able to be a guest speaker in social events; I could enjoy living in such cold environment and most important, I was happy to be a volunteer in Canada. The way people welcome you in Canada it’s so amazing and really refreshes your heart.
My counterpart for the first 6 months program was Kristen, a Canadian girl who I still remember exactly how she has helped me. I had another counterpart that joined the two of us; this time was a lovely South African girl, Siphokazi. The three of us stayed the second part of the program in Cape Town, Bredasdoorp for three months. At that time I had to learn how to share almost all my life with the two girls, like room, table, feelings, trips, etc. Living with different nationalities, cultures, habits, behaviors was the biggest objective of the program. Bellow are my host sisters.
Me and my host sisters from Canada and France
Today I thank God for that experience and to be able to be part of such experience. This experience made me go back to Canada again and again but this time as a Project Supervisor, representing my Country. As a Project Supervisor I had a chance to supervise this fantastic program. The two new counterparts were Michelle Hannah and Laura Roberts. Both of them were Canadians and they took their time to show me a lot about their culture. Laura Roberts who I’m still in touch since 2007 has got this strong good personality and we are still taking some time of our lives to share our new experiences.
On the picture, my counterpart Laura and me.
Indeed, I have found life in Canada significantly cheaper than in Mozambique and some other countries that I had visited. The food is cheap, petrol and cars are cheap, except the Car Insurance as far as I know. Of course everything changes when we talk about the big cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.
I loved to see the Aboriginal people of Canada called First Nations. The way they dress reminds me Africa. I’ve seen that they have a very strong influence on the national culture in Canada and even with all the big developments they are still preserving their own original identities.
To finalize, this is what I think about Canada: my second home that I am not sure when I’m going back.
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