Belonging

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When we arrived in Canada, we felt the need that many immigrants experience: searching for a place we could truly call home. At first, we needed to find someone who understood our roots, culture, and language. We wanted to find a space where, at least for a moment, we didn’t have to explain everything, where our customs would be welcomed, and where we would feel understood. Back then, the invisible embrace that arises when you are surrounded by people who speak your language and share your traditions was what gave us hope. That first sense of belonging, though small, made all the sacrifice of leaving our life behind worth it.

However, as the years passed, we also realized that immigration is not just about finding those who are like us, but about going beyond that. It is a process that invites you to look outside your comfort zone and integrate into communities that often don’t share your history, your language, or your customs. In this journey, the true richness lies in openness, in learning to love and connect with those who, although different in many ways, welcome you, support you, and make you feel at home.

It was during one summer, after a few years of living here, that this lesson came to us in the most unexpected way.We met a family from a faraway continent, with other languages, values, and traditions. They invited us to a summer camp and we accepted with joy, not knowing that this gesture would alter the direction of our lives.

That summer camp was the first time we truly felt what it means to belong. Not only because we shared laughter and good moments with other people, but because, for the first time, we felt like we were part of something much bigger. That family naturally integrated us into every event, introduced us to their friends, to their people, and opened the doors of their world to us.

What started as a simple invitation to a campsite, turned into a deep and lasting bond. This family taught us something we didn’t expect: to give beyond our roots, beyond our culture, beyond language barriers. They showed us that true community is not limited by blood ties or shared histories, but is created through generosity, mutual respect, and the willingness to share.

Even today, they probably don’t know how crucial they were to us, but if we had to choose the most important people in our lives, those we would choose to share more than just friendship with as if they were closer to blood ties, we would have no doubts: it would be them. They are our family, not by last name, but by the love, closeness, and unconditional support they offered us from the very beginning.

Community building is not just finding those who understand us, but also being receptive to those who, even though they do not know our tale, become our allies. Through them, we discovered that we all want the same thing: to belong. And thus, with smiles, with greetings, with little generosity acts, we find ourselves learning that, even though we tell our own story in a different language, our place here in this world is, certainly, the place we hold along with them.
Hello! I’m Martha Navarro, a proud Colombian who made the leap to Canada in 2020. As an immigrant, I’ve navigated the ups and downs of starting anew in a foreign land, facing challenges that many of us know all too well. This blog is my little corner of the internet where I share my experiences, insights, and stories. I believe that while the immigrant journey can be tough, it also brings us together in unexpected ways. Through my words, I hope to connect with others who may be feeling isolated or overwhelmed. You're not alone—we share a bond that transcends borders. Join me as we explore the immigrant experience, celebrate our resilience, and find comfort in our shared stories. Together, we can create a supportive community where we uplift each other and remind ourselves that we are all connected.

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