Gihan

For some, navigating life in Canada is second nature. For others, it’s a world full of unknowns and uncertainties. 

Immigrants, refugees, and all newcomers alike coming to Canada are made to adapt to a new home, new employment, new systems of healthcare, new friends, new cultures, and totally new ways of life. These obstacles can be especially challenging for those whose English skills are poor or nonexistent. Gihan came to Canada in September of 2018 and faced all of these challenges.

But the Multicultural Association of Fredericton (MCAF) welcomed her with open arms; she attended MCAF’s Cultural Broker sessions, and a bridge was drawn between her cultures and others’. Now, Gihan herself volunteers with MCAF as a Cultural Broker in their Cultural Peer Outreach Program, funded by the United Way of Central NB. For Gihan, helping others like her gives her a sense of fulfillment.

Thanks to MCAF and the United Way of Central NB, Gihan and others like her can make Canada that much more welcoming for newcomers.