Message from Canada

Saraswati Chhetri, previously from Khudunabari camp and currently resettled in Quebec city of Canada has expressed her feelings to all the friends. Here you go:-

Hi  friends,

It's me Saraswati Chhetri from Quebec city of Canada writing a message to all the known and unknown friends who view this site. Firstly, I would like to give hearty thanks to those friends who have created this site through which we can share our thoughts to all the friends residing in different corner of the world. As like you all I was born in Samchi district of Bhutan, however i spend my childhood in Khudunabari camp of Nepal as a Bhutanese refugee.

When I recall those days of refugee camps in Nepal, it's so painful.We lived there with difficult situation. People  in camp worked hard to make their living standard better but they couldn't make as they think. The concept of people was so conservative and there was discrimination between peoples through castism and religion. It's due to lack of  good Education and awareness. Though CARITAS ahd UNHCR assisted in our Education and also fullfillment of  basic needs but I still feel something missing there.We did nothing great except getting some education. It was so vulnerable life which I spent there. Hence, after spending a 17years life as a refugee, i finally decided to go to Canada under resettlement process.

After i got resettled in Canada- a complete new beginnng of life, i just thought that now i am free as I have left that place surrounded by complicated situation and have started new life with new thoughts. However, in another sense I sometimes get scared about myself thinking that I may face with great obstacle in a middle way of my life  because i am  travelling a long distance which I had never thought and travelled. In the meanwhile, the network with all the Bhutanse friends of mine has given me strength to overcome such obstacles which comes in the way.

Everything is systematic here and it made my life totally different and better then before. Here in Quebec city, now we are more then 20 Bhutanese families living. When i observed peoples ought here, I came to know that they all are feeling happy and peace than in camp. But one thing is different in our place.That is language. Here, we have to speak French language. It's quite difficult but i am trying my level best to learn that.

When I talk about the climate, there is snow falling here nowadays and it's cold but charming. For financial supports and basic needs, Canada Goverment will  help us for all purpose like-fooding, renting appartment, etc. Medical it's free here but we have to pay for some severe operations only. Regarding Education system, Children get free education up to class 12. As i had  finished grade-12 in Nepal itself,  i am planning to join university soon.

Finally, I am feeling much better here but missing friends in Nepal. Lastly, friends we should keep in mind that ''In this world nothing and no-one last last longer except trust and remembrance''. So, to remember all, let us have sound understanding, mutuality and brotherhood and have network. I am always in touch with you all. Thanks

Bye