Laura Cuizara moved to Canada in 2024 from Bolivia, where she was met with support, kindness, and a community that welcomed her in. Just over a year later, she is the one offering that same welcome to others as a Global Gathering Place volunteer. “[GGP has] provided me with opportunities to learn, connect with the community, and better understand my new home. By volunteering, I hope to contribute to the well-being of others and help create positive experiences similar to those I have had,” Laura says.

Laura first began volunteering with GGP at the beginning of this year in our CNC (Care for Newcomer Children) program that provides childminding to support our clients participating in our English classes and programming. In April, Laura began volunteering in our Computer Classes as well where she is able to use her background in IT to share her knowledge of computers and technology.

Laura loves that volunteering gives her the opportunity to meet new people, practise her English, and strengthen her personal skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork. “I am grateful for all the support I have received since arriving in Canada, and volunteering gives me the opportunity to give back to the community that has supported me. Knowing that I can make a positive difference, even in a small way, is incredibly rewarding.”

Laura’s favourite thing about volunteering with GGP is the opportunity to truly help others and witness the impact that even a small contribution can make. “Whenever I see a child learn something through an activity I helped with, or when I am able to help someone in the computer classes understand a concept they were struggling with, I feel that my day was truly worthwhile.”

Laura also notes that volunteering is a learning experience for her as well. “I continue to learn from the people around me every day, whether it is new vocabulary, different perspectives, or simply seeing the world through someone else’s eyes. My mother was a teacher, and growing up I often helped with activities involving children. I admire their curiosity, creativity, and endless energy. Their enthusiasm for learning and exploring new things is inspiring, and it reminds me to approach life with the same sense of curiosity and positivity.” Volunteering with GGP has shown Laura that “by contributing, sharing, and participating, we not only support others but also grow in ways we do not expect.”

Laura has many experiences that stand out to her over her time of volunteering. Laura recollects a certain client in a Computer Class that reminded her of her mother. “It was her first class, and she struggled with using the mouse, typing on the keyboard, and following the activities. At first, I tried explaining the steps verbally, but I realized she was not fully understanding. So, I changed my approach and began showing her each step visually. Little by little, she improved, and we were able to complete the activity together. She was very happy when she finished and thanked me with a hug, which was very meaningful to me, like receiving a hug from my mother. In the following classes, I saw her gaining more confidence and progressing quickly.” This experience reminded Laura of her own challenges when she first came to Canada: “the frustration of not understanding instructions, feeling lost, and struggling to keep up with others. It made me very happy to be able to support her, guide her, and help her achieve her goal. Seeing her progress was just as rewarding for me as it was for her.”

We are so happy to have volunteers like Laura in our CNC and Computer programs. It is deeply impactful for us to see clients reach a point where they are able to help others settle in Saskatoon, and we thank Laura for her incredible dedication to do so!