Stories

I faced a reality I was not at all prepared for. I felt alone and powerless in the face of everything. I asked for help, and that was the turning point. This social support was essential to our settling in Canada. As a newcomer with my family, it allowed us to meet our essential needs, to integrate more calmly, and to rebuild our lives with dignity and hope.

Some kinds of support inform you; others transform you. For me, AFII did both. When I arrived in Canada, I thought integrating came down to finding a job. I discovered far more: a true family, a community of inspiring women that helped me find my place. That is the moment my integration truly began.

I was told my engineering degree “didn’t count” here. With the collective, I learned to make it count in another way. Today, I work in my field.

I thought I had to carry everything alone. The sharing circles showed me that asking for help is also a strength. I found friends there, and new momentum.

I didn’t even dare look at my accounts. Now I have a budget, a small savings cushion and, above all, peace of mind. I’m already passing these habits on to my daughters.

Mentorship transformed the way I present myself. I dared to apply, to grow my network, to negotiate. I landed a role that truly fits me.