We might have heard news stories of people abandoning their homes and families to rebuild their lives in a different country, but it’s more touching to hear it from someone who has been through this situation.
The Cannery Cafe on Moncton Street in Steveston was packed with people last Wednesday night. They came here to attend an event, titled “Portraits of Venezuela,” organized by a long-term Richmond resident, Catriona Day, and her neighbour Rosalind Wee.
Most importantly, they invited Elisabeth Leo, a Venezuelan immigrant and artist, to share her immigration journey.
Day met Leo while doing volunteering work at the Habitat for Humanity build in Richmond earlier this year.
After learning how Venezuela was turned from the wealthiest nation in Latin America to a place engulfed in economic and political crisis, Day felt it was essential to create a space for Leo to tell her story in her own words and pictures.
“Leo moved to Canada because she can’t make a living over there,” said Day.
“I hear about Venezuela in the news, but it’s nice to hear from someone who is from there.” She added that Leo can’t visit her hometown and relatives under the current dangerous situation there.
Leo and her husband arrived in Canada in November 2017 as visitors after her daughter and son-in-law immigrating to Canada.
“The situation in Venezuela got worse since we left the country and you can see crimes almost everywhere,” said Leo.
Despite living in Canada happily for two years and taking care of her daughter’s children, Leo still wants to go home to see her other family members, but she fears that she wouldn’t be able to return to Canada.
“My father got sick years ago, and later he died. But I didn’t have the chance to say goodbye to him at the time he passed away,” recalled Leo.
Touched by Leo’s personal story, Day applied for a grant from the Vancouver Foundation.
“We aim to bring people together in Richmond to appreciate people’s stories and celebrate diversity,” said Day.
Day also noted that it’s important to celebrate the contribution immigrants make to local society while raising awareness and honouring the risky journey that refugees have taken to come to Canada.
Dozens of guests listened to Leo’s story, took home authentic Venezuelan recipes, and created a Venezuelan craft (gurrifios in Spanish) together at the event.
Although the social gathering is a one-off event, Day hopes the love and care for people who have fled violence and extreme poverty from other countries can continue.
