We wanted to know and to share the true experience of the temporary foreign workers here in Canada during the pandemic. The workers are from Guatemala and Mexico and work here in Delta, BC. We were under pandemic restrictions up until July 2021. At that time they loosened enough that we were able to host an outdoor soccer event for every sunday afternoon, with spectators. This represented the first time we could gather in a large group and that the workers could interact with each other. It became a day many looked forward to and offered a sense of excitement and normality once again. We opened up other events since then including a weekly in-person Bible study and English classes. These are the words from several workers, shared with their permission and translated to English.
Walter Solis, Guatemala, Windset Farm
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
A: Really being away from home in this pandemic season was the most difficult experience of my life. Since I miss my family so much. I spend a lot of time worrying about my mother and especially that she is very ill. Well, the pandemic is very difficult and not being able to leave the country is very hard all this but grateful and with my faith in God.
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
A: Second, I thank God for you David and Kim for this beautiful LWM ministry. God put them to be of great support for us, to have the time for us and especially in this year of so many needs and circumstances that were not expected, but God put them at the right time in my life. Being able to have this soccer tournament helped us to get rid of that stress that we had accumulated, to get out of the routine and we could not wait for the next weekend to arrive to be able to enjoy the sport that we love so much in our countries in Central America.
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
A: I would like to learn English. Because when we go out to do our shopping every week, we realize how necessary English is. I really prayed to God very much for this opportunity to come to work in Canada and now I am very motivated by this opportunity to learn through this program in your ministry. Thank God because through this opportunity I was able to buy my land and also be able to start building a house for my family. But I would also like to continue meeting more local people, learn more about this culture and history.
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
A: Really being away from home in this pandemic season was the most difficult experience of my life. Since I miss my family so much. I spend a lot of time worrying about my mother and especially that she is very ill. Well, the pandemic is very difficult and not being able to leave the country is very hard all this but grateful and with my faith in God.
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
A: Second, I thank God for you David and Kim for this beautiful LWM ministry. God put them to be of great support for us, to have the time for us and especially in this year of so many needs and circumstances that were not expected, but God put them at the right time in my life. Being able to have this soccer tournament helped us to get rid of that stress that we had accumulated, to get out of the routine and we could not wait for the next weekend to arrive to be able to enjoy the sport that we love so much in our countries in Central America.
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
A: I would like to learn English. Because when we go out to do our shopping every week, we realize how necessary English is. I really prayed to God very much for this opportunity to come to work in Canada and now I am very motivated by this opportunity to learn through this program in your ministry. Thank God because through this opportunity I was able to buy my land and also be able to start building a house for my family. But I would also like to continue meeting more local people, learn more about this culture and history.
Jorge Osorio, Guatemala, Windset Farm
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
A: When the pandemic started, I only thought the worst and became very scared. I was more affected when they started putting restrictions inside and outside the greenhouse. But I was even more affected when they announced that for certain reasons due to the pandemic, we would not be able to leave the country to visit our families. I want to be honest but as a man of the house I felt that everything came together in a very short time and my wife found in my country Guatemala, a woman of Faith, she was giving me words of encouragement and telling me that God is with us and that He strengthens us. I heard from my family that at some point the pandemic was out of control and that the government was forced to place restrictions on being out of their homes at specific times. The hardest part for my family is that they couldn't do much with only a few hours available and especially go to church. But my wife had the initiative to prepare a small altar at home and as a family to dedicate time to God every day. My family shared with me that they were shocked to see how well working people in Guatemala were. Some sold clothes or shoes, all looking for a way to get ahead. Some sold vegetables, others hand gel, Masks and more.
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
A: I can positively say that thank God that I found that faith that I had lost and the confidence in myself. This pandemic at a certain point made me stronger and now I have a mindset to serve God with all my heart and never doubt Him.
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
I would like to learn 50 oh 60% English. And if God allows, I would like to bring my family to Canada one day.
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
A: When the pandemic started, I only thought the worst and became very scared. I was more affected when they started putting restrictions inside and outside the greenhouse. But I was even more affected when they announced that for certain reasons due to the pandemic, we would not be able to leave the country to visit our families. I want to be honest but as a man of the house I felt that everything came together in a very short time and my wife found in my country Guatemala, a woman of Faith, she was giving me words of encouragement and telling me that God is with us and that He strengthens us. I heard from my family that at some point the pandemic was out of control and that the government was forced to place restrictions on being out of their homes at specific times. The hardest part for my family is that they couldn't do much with only a few hours available and especially go to church. But my wife had the initiative to prepare a small altar at home and as a family to dedicate time to God every day. My family shared with me that they were shocked to see how well working people in Guatemala were. Some sold clothes or shoes, all looking for a way to get ahead. Some sold vegetables, others hand gel, Masks and more.
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
A: I can positively say that thank God that I found that faith that I had lost and the confidence in myself. This pandemic at a certain point made me stronger and now I have a mindset to serve God with all my heart and never doubt Him.
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
I would like to learn 50 oh 60% English. And if God allows, I would like to bring my family to Canada one day.
Luis Loza, Mexico, Village Farm
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
A: The most difficult part was that I could not travel to see my family in Mexico, until a solution was found against covid-19 as well as adapting to a model a little uncomfortable with respect to using the mask, keeping the distance with people and not even meeting to carry out the activities that we like the most.
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
What my impact this year 2021 was that despite the pandemic, the countries were able to face the pandemic with struggle and effort, to be able to help humanity and thank God, it maintains us. But I was very surprised by the very good medical system in Canada and how they gave priority over the vaccine to us as greenhouse workers.
A3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
With the opportunity that I have to work here in a different country with different cultures and languages, I would like to learn the language and be able to apply it in my life, I would like to know its cultures and places that the beautiful country of Canada represents.
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
A: The most difficult part was that I could not travel to see my family in Mexico, until a solution was found against covid-19 as well as adapting to a model a little uncomfortable with respect to using the mask, keeping the distance with people and not even meeting to carry out the activities that we like the most.
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
What my impact this year 2021 was that despite the pandemic, the countries were able to face the pandemic with struggle and effort, to be able to help humanity and thank God, it maintains us. But I was very surprised by the very good medical system in Canada and how they gave priority over the vaccine to us as greenhouse workers.
A3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
With the opportunity that I have to work here in a different country with different cultures and languages, I would like to learn the language and be able to apply it in my life, I would like to know its cultures and places that the beautiful country of Canada represents.
Edwing Obregon, Guatemala, Millennium
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
The most difficult part of the pandemic for me was that I could not go anywhere for a long time, during that time of the pandemic I tested positive, but I did not feel symptoms, thank God my recovery was quick.
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
What positively impacted me was meeting a lot of generous people specifically at that time of the pandemic, the environment in them and various other things.
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
I would like to know more places in Canada as time and work allow, I would like to learn the new language for me, English. Many of us as greenhouse workers wish for that opportunity but sometimes it is difficult with work schedules.
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
The most difficult part of the pandemic for me was that I could not go anywhere for a long time, during that time of the pandemic I tested positive, but I did not feel symptoms, thank God my recovery was quick.
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
What positively impacted me was meeting a lot of generous people specifically at that time of the pandemic, the environment in them and various other things.
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
I would like to know more places in Canada as time and work allow, I would like to learn the new language for me, English. Many of us as greenhouse workers wish for that opportunity but sometimes it is difficult with work schedules.
Henry Noriega, Guatemala, Rubicon
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
For me during the pandemic the most difficult part was the restrictions, practically my group and I felt enclosed and especially that the greenhouse in which we are located is not very easy to access by bus, store or shopping center. for shopping etc.
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
Something that impacted me during this 2021 pandemic was, that despite so many restrictions and possible new ones, the LWM program with Jon and Kim extended the invitation to many workers like us here at Rubicon and that made us feel valued in that they will take us into account for the activities they planned even if it is online. Later, with less restrictions, we were able to enjoy such an excellent soccer championship and we are so grateful for the people who took the time to go every week to pick up our soccer team to participate. That football tournament of blessing for us. But also, my impact having seen so many natural disasters something that I had never experienced in my life
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
I would like to meet more people from Canada and explore new places or at least have the opportunity to see new horizons.
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
For me during the pandemic the most difficult part was the restrictions, practically my group and I felt enclosed and especially that the greenhouse in which we are located is not very easy to access by bus, store or shopping center. for shopping etc.
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
Something that impacted me during this 2021 pandemic was, that despite so many restrictions and possible new ones, the LWM program with Jon and Kim extended the invitation to many workers like us here at Rubicon and that made us feel valued in that they will take us into account for the activities they planned even if it is online. Later, with less restrictions, we were able to enjoy such an excellent soccer championship and we are so grateful for the people who took the time to go every week to pick up our soccer team to participate. That football tournament of blessing for us. But also, my impact having seen so many natural disasters something that I had never experienced in my life
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
I would like to meet more people from Canada and explore new places or at least have the opportunity to see new horizons.
Otto Ochoa, Guatemala, Westcoast
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
For me it was difficult because this pandemic affected my family in a strong way, but blessed God they recovered and today I can say that God worked once more in the life of my family. And the sad thing was that several friends and neighbors in Guatemala lost their lives, and here I can say that the confinement was difficult and because of that the stress.
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
I was positively shocked that despite so much news, restrictions and more. The LWM ministry did not stop giving us that support that we needed from the beginning in the online support to one of the biggest events we have experienced as workers, such an excellent and well-organized soccer championship. What a blessing it was for my life personally and I know that many of my colleagues express the same and we also connected on social networks with our families to share happy and positive moments like these.
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
I had the opportunity to travel to Canada since 2016 and I am grateful to God for this opportunity, but I want to share with you that every season I was very eager and excited to visit new places, meet new people and learn a lot from it. culture. Today I can say that in these years I have had the opportunity and I have learned a lot, especially a little English, which I thought I would never have that opportunity.
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
For me it was difficult because this pandemic affected my family in a strong way, but blessed God they recovered and today I can say that God worked once more in the life of my family. And the sad thing was that several friends and neighbors in Guatemala lost their lives, and here I can say that the confinement was difficult and because of that the stress.
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
I was positively shocked that despite so much news, restrictions and more. The LWM ministry did not stop giving us that support that we needed from the beginning in the online support to one of the biggest events we have experienced as workers, such an excellent and well-organized soccer championship. What a blessing it was for my life personally and I know that many of my colleagues express the same and we also connected on social networks with our families to share happy and positive moments like these.
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
I had the opportunity to travel to Canada since 2016 and I am grateful to God for this opportunity, but I want to share with you that every season I was very eager and excited to visit new places, meet new people and learn a lot from it. culture. Today I can say that in these years I have had the opportunity and I have learned a lot, especially a little English, which I thought I would never have that opportunity.
