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Christmas Fund: Danielle is here from Brazil to help autistic children

While she's excited about the move, she says it has been difficult adapting to Quebec culture and making ends meet with her husband.

Donations to the Montreal Gazette Christmas Fund this year can be made exclusively online at www.christmasfund.com.
Donations to the Montreal Gazette Christmas Fund this year can be made exclusively online at www.christmasfund.com. Photo by Pete Fisher /Northumberland Today

All Danielle has wanted to do with her career is help — but now, thousands of kilometres from home, she’s going to need a little help herself.

Danielle knew the move to Quebec from Brazil wouldn’t be easy. She knew she would have to adapt to the language, culture and weather.

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But for Danielle, it was necessary to fulfil her dream of becoming a special-education teacher.

With her husband of 15 years and two kids, Danielle made the move in January.

“I always wanted to work with kids with special needs,” Danielle, 43, said. “And one of the programs I wanted to attend was here in Quebec.”

“In our country, Canada is recognized for its education, and for what I wanted to study, I really wanted to come here.”

Danielle specifically wants to help children with autism and says this domain needs people.

“I feel I can do this job,” Danielle said. “These types of jobs are always in demand, and I want to help. I always wanted to work with kids and it’s something I enjoy doing.”

While Danielle is excited to be here, she says it has been difficult adapting to the culture and making ends meet with her husband.

“My husband works full time, and I was working part time at a daycare while going to school, but soon I’m going to have to stop working because it’s too much to work and go to school at the same time,” Danielle said.

“It has been hard. It was a big change coming here, it’s very difficult, but it was necessary for my career.”

Danielle says the Montreal Gazette Christmas Fund will help the family celebrate Christmas and buy winter clothes for the kids.

“It was a big change for our family, but I also feel like it’s a good thing for my kids’ futures too,” Danielle said. “I’m really liking my program and I’m thankful for this help.”

How to help

This article is representative of the people your donations will be helping. Because of resource limitations and privacy restrictions, the Montreal Gazette cannot accept non-monetary contributions. Donations to the Christmas Fund can be made online at www.christmasfund.com. Please direct all inquiries to christmasfundinquiries@postmedia.com.

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