The Living Library Podcast Project New Canadians Centre Peterborough

With a passion for travel and culture, Patricia took a leap of faith and moved to Canada over 10-years ago to build a new life with her Canadian partner. But she quickly found that life in Canada was not what she initially expected. She struggled to find work, battled feelings of loneliness, and soon, her marriage too became strained. Her leap of faith takes us on a journey of love, hardship, rebirth, and resilience.

When Venezuelan artist Miguel Hernandez arrived in Canada in 2014, he was afraid to speak the little English he knew because of his accent. But, walking through the doors of the New Canadians Centre, he felt like he belonged and knew Canada was his second home. After a tough immigration process, he‘s now built a home in Peterborough surrounded by a loving community. Armed with his superpower, he wants to tell his story, so others believe in theirs. rs.

When Esther Izarnotegui and her family of five relocated to Peterborough in 2014 from Peru, they were quickly met with many changes to their way of life. From language and culture to weather and nature. Listen as Esther recalls the stories of their settlement and how Peterborough became her ”drop of heaven.”

Arriving in Canada as a 17-year old, Ajil remembers struggling with a new language and culture. But, he also remembers the warm welcome his family received in Peterborough. It made him realise that people care and want to see him succeed and that in Canada, you can choose your road. In this episode, Ajil tells us about the road he chose and the challenges and triumphs that came with it.

Faced with moving to another country and packing up their lives into two suitcases, Rafael & Aruasy asks, ”what will we truly need to continue living?” In this episode, Venezuelan husband and wife Rafael & Aruasy answer that question and take us through the experiences, challenges, and joys of their Canadian adventure.

Patrickson recalls the day he arrived in Canada for the first time during the cold of winter and the days following.

Patrickson is sharing his story through this New Canadians Centre-Trent Radio collaboration that supported six newcomers with storytelling & radio training over six weeks in Spring 2021.