“I was alone and I was scared to start in my field,” said Lisa, 35. She has an electrical engineering degree.
Lisa, who has an electrical engineering degree, moved to Quebec from Venezuela with her husband in 2013. They were hoping for a better life.
But after they got divorced, Lisa became a single mother of two and didn’t feel as though she could pursue job opportunities.
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“I was alone and I was scared to start in my field,” said Lisa, 35. “I started working at restaurants and slowly I felt like the time had passed and I missed my opportunity.”
Lisa said not knowing the language also held her back. Eventually she enrolled in night school to learn French.
“It was tough for me to go back to school. I didn’t have guidance, it’s not easy to be alone in a new country and do all this,” she said. “But after some time, I decided I should do something for me. I don’t want to stay at home and I think it was a good example for my kids.”
This year, her mother, cousin and uncle all joined her to live in Quebec. She started attending CEGEP two months ago with government assistance.
“It is hard studying and having two kids, but I have my mom helping me now and it gives me time to study,” Lisa said. “I have always liked studying. Whenever I find something I like, I’m passionate about it.”
Lisa says the Montreal Gazette Christmas Fund will help her celebrate Christmas they way she and her kids love doing it.
“Every year we go to the Old Port and walk around,” Lisa said. “My kids also love the Desjardins Centre and they love the Santa Claus there. We go every year and it’s a nice experience.”
“I’m really grateful to be part of this fund,” Lisa said. “I know this is going to help us and it helps a lot of people. I read about this fund every year and I see all the people it helps. I’m happy to be one of them.”
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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