Passya Mbambo Mukoko

“My name is Passya Mbambo Mukoko. I am 19 years old, and we moved to Fredericton from Africa eight years ago. It was hard where we used to live [Zimbabwe], so we moved from country to country to find a better place. Finally, we chose Canada. When I moved here, we were five people. It was the first time I had ever taken a plane. It was very bumpy and my mom and brother were crying for the whole trip. But it’s good we moved here, I’m happier here.

My family experienced culture shock. We had to start a new life and meet new people, it was very hard. Going to school was difficult, I didn't know how to speak French at the time, and I couldn`t understand what they said when they would talk to me. I remember asking a classmate, ”where do breasts come from?” She slapped me. The teachers were not as strict in Africa, they let us do whatever we wanted. We didn't have books so we had to buy our own. The people, the schools, the food were all so different. When I started school at École des Bâtisseurs, I was in the fifth grade and I was not doing too well. In fact, I had to redo that year. It was not fun, I was missing the friends I made.

My family is doing well now, we are now seven people after my brother and sister were born here. My plan is to work for the next couple of years, then go to college.

The only thing I can say is that it’s good to be somewhere that you know you feel safe. At least here somebody is always here to protect you.”