Sandra Ramirez - Customer Service - Interpreter - ESL Teacher

Sandra Ramirez

Country of Origin: Colombia

Date Arrived in London: December 2011

Occupation: Customer Service – Interpreter – ESL/Spanish Teacher

Why did you decide to settle in London? What do you like about London?

I decided to settle in London because, as soon as we arrived, the community welcomed my son and I in an amazing way. I love the nature, the size of the city, the people, the cultural activities, and my church. It is a life full of peace, plenty of love, and hope. London is where my eleven year old son started developing his artistic talent. He got an art therapy scholarship given by UWO. He also won second price in a colouring contest at Cherryhill Mall last Christmas. London is where life has shown us that working with passion, showing compassion, and living for others make your dreams come true. London mornings fill me out with energy and beautiful sunsets give me the strength to wake up the next morning with new ideas and dreams to keep trying. The amazing contrast between the amount of students from the university and seniors in the city shows me how long term plans can be develop here. London, my beautiful and kind London, I will keep my journey loving you and caring for you.

How are you involved in the London community (employment, volunteering, community organizations, etc.)?

The second week after my arrival, I already started volunteering as an interpreter for the fibromyalgia program at St. Joseph's Heath Care. That year, I also started volunteering at London Intercommunity Health Centre. I knew that some of the clients at LIHC that were on waiting list for an opportunity to access to the fibromyalgia program, but language was a barrier for these Spanish community clients. I got the two organizations in contact and they organized the first fibromyalgia program in Spanish! I am so glad to know that thanks to my communication of needs between the two agencies, people got an opportunity to access a treatment that teaches them and their relatives how to have a better quality of life.  In 2012, I also started volunteering at Gateway Church with the Spanglish program (an opportunity for native speakers to help each other practice both English and Spanish) they offered to the community. I have had the opportunity to help Latin people improve their learning and acquisition of English. I developed some tips I share with everyone I know who is trying to learn a language and they enjoying the process. I had the great chance to teach English to newcomer seniors at Kiwanis Seniors Centre. That experience showed me how important it is to keep our seniors together participating in activities according to their age. It is important for seniors to know at least the basics of the language to be independent and survive in a different culture. I also volunteered at Forest Cliff Camp where I got a scholarship for my son last summer. Spending a week in a Canadian summer camp was a great experience, because I only had images from movies about it.  Cooking for 200 people was really amazing. Besides I have had the beautiful opportunity of volunteering at Compassion Canada. It is wonderful reading sponsors'   cards giving love and hope to children who live in places where opportunities are not available like they are in this beautiful country. Helping with this mission is really rewarding. Right now I am volunteering at London Employment Help Centre. Learning from great professionals who do one of the hardest jobs nowadays….job hunting. I also help at LEHC with the advocates –social workers- to translate for the Spanish speaker community who they are helping with CPP and ODSP applications.    I will keep trying to get a job and I know I will; but meanwhile, I will continue giving my best everywhere whenever Canadians or immigrants need me.

What message would you like to share with newcomers to London?

It is very important to get involved with the community as much as possible. The more you give, the more you get. The moment you share your skills with others, doors start to open. London is a traditional city full of people with values and compassion. The beautiful Forest City offers a lot of positive aspects for the new families that come to settle down here. Get as much information as possible online about the city and all the social services it offers for different age groups. I would add that volunteering is not only rewarding, but the best way to get references and Canadian experience. Start building your network and get connections where you can not only serve and use your skills, but also where you will be really valuable for them. If you want to learn a language in an enjoyable way, contact me (ramirezsandra190@yahoo.ca) and I will give you tips for a pleasant learning process. 

Also remember, If you are cold in the winter, drink hot chocolate and keep warm thoughts. If you are hot in summer time, swim a lot. In spring enjoy the flowers, birds, and geese singing and in autumn the colourful falling leaves. Do not forget always to be thankful for living in this beautiful and peaceful land.

What message would you like to share with the broader London community?

It is really important for an immigrant to understand, know so will value the system and culture in Canada. Sometimes we do not do many things because we do not know that the possibilities even exist. For example all programs available from Spectrum magazine. Services and agencies of employment and health. The fact of getting a family doctor. School culture. Dealing with weather, etc. I would call it “warm up for a life”. I am a language teacher and this is the way I motivate my students and I can measure the success I will have of the rest of the class jus by the very beginning introduction of the unknown. Every time I meet newcomers I share with them all I missed because I did not know all that was there available. I show them the shortcut and make them aware as many possibilities as I know are available so they can really take advantage of all programs and benefits that government and non-profits have for the community.

I think this campaign is great for Canadians too who have spent more time here and may have forgotten their past generations and all they had to go through.  The same things we are facing right now. I want to remind them how important and necessary immigrants are for the country. I want to realize that learning the language takes time. They should value newcomers’ efforts and should be conscious that not knowing English does not mean a lack of intelligence or capability to rationalize. I want everyone to be aware that adjusting to a new environment, weather and conditions is not easy, to value that we left lives behind to come and adapt to and truly love a new nation, that our kids and coming generations are the future.