Ten years ago, Cinthia left her home to start a new life in Canada.
She spent nine of those years chasing dreams that remained fleeting. She felt like she was surrounded by a large body of water and yet she remained thirsty. There were moments when she would question her decision to migrate to Canada. Then, in the tenth year of her stay, she ran into a friend, who she now believes was an angel, who told her about the Mennonite New Life Centre.
You helped me to understand that there is always a place out there where you are going to fit in regardless of your background.”
Cinthia reluctantly decided to try one last time and when she did, the payback was big.
In April 2021, she had her initial engagement with the Centre and that marked the turning point in her life. “It was such a nice experience because even though we did everything over the phone and virtually, they always gave me the support that I needed.”
Evoking an emotional memory, she related that beyond the services the Centre offered, the touch of shared humanity was “incredible”.
“I was passing through such a difficult emotional situation, but they made me feel valuable in a moment of vulnerability. They listened to me and guided me to the best way they could to make my situation clearer for me to be able to reach my goal,” she related.
Heaving a sigh of relief, she commented that “it was such a nice experience, and I am so thankful that there are these kind of services for the community.”
She had a message for the leadership and staff of the Centre of “the importance that you put on each situation and the follow ups. You helped me to understand that there is always a place out there where you are going to fit in regardless of your background.”
Photo: PEXELS/BEN MACK
