Opportunities can transform lives – Esther’s Story
It is an emergency, and you must flee.
To move quickly, you must leave someone behind.
Which child would it be?
This is a decision no one should have to make.
But Esther had to choose.
In 2013, war broke out in the Central African Republic. It was very difficult to travel to safety with three young children. Esther made the hard choice to leave 7-year-old Claude behind with her sister. She did not know when they would reunite.
Esther fled to Cameroon with her twin girls who were 6 months old. In the years that followed, she faced many heartbreaking trials, poverty and homelessness as a single mother and refugee.
Yet, she never lost sight of her goal – to give her children the life she never had.
The chance finally came in 2022 when she arrived in Canada with her girls through the Resettlement Assistance Program.
Because you have supported the New Canadians Centre over the years, you created a community that welcomed them with a warm embrace.
You stepped forward as volunteers, eager to orient Esther and her daughters to a new life in Peterborough.
You supported the Life Skills program that helped Esther to learn how to use a phone, write an email and take the bus.
You created opportunities for Esther to connect with others who are new to Canada through NCC’s events and Women’s Group.
You gave Esther the confidence to help other newcomers who were struggling to adjust.
We are so proud of the milestones that Esther has achieved. This last one tops it all!
This year, Claude has reunited with his mother and sisters in Canada.
After being separated and facing an uncertain future, they can now look forward together in this safe, inclusive and welcoming community.
Esther is now studying hard to attain her food handlers certification and looks forward to the day that she can sell her pastries in Peterborough.
With your support, newcomers can look forward to a future for themselves and their families.
Will you make a gift to support this important work?
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your generous and compassionate support of the New Canadians Centre and newcomers to Canada like Esther, Claude, Merveille and Chekina. I am so grateful that you are part of our 45-year legacy of building community.
Sincerely,
Andy Cragg
Executive Director
