The Perth-Huron Multicultural Association works hard to help new Canadians during the pandemic

HURON-PERTH – The main goal of the Perth-Huron Multicultural Association currently is to help new Canadians navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. Gezahgn Wordofa, founder of the association, said they are helping newcomers by taking them to testing centers, even if that means taking them to Woodstock or London.

The association recently received funding from the federal government through the Red Cross, allowing them to provide transportation to people in need of transportation.

“Get tested … please, if you need us, we are here,” said Wordofa. “We have to go get tested. This is very important.”

Some newcomers are afraid to get tested because they think COVID is like HIV and there will be stigma attached to a positive test.

“It is not like HIV,” Wordofa said. “African friends, I am from Ethiopia, they worry because friends may know about their disease… If they are sick, they think HIV is the worst, but it is not HIV. Anyone can get COVID. ”

Individuals who wish to organize a trip to be tested can contact the Multicultural Association at 1-888-910-1583.

The association has also been providing masks and teaching people to use them.

“Some people complain that they don’t have enough masks,” Wordofa said. “They go to the stores without masks. Wearing a mask is respectful. If I wear a mask, I respect you. Masks are very important. It doesn’t matter if I’m sick or not, because it shows respect ”.

Clinton Springer Sr., a volunteer for the Multicultural Association, said it is important not only for newcomers to realize that testing and masking is important, but for all Canadians as well.

“They just had a great march in Woodstock and St. Thomas – anti-maskers, that’s something that just newcomers are not,” he said. “I think it is very important to educate all people about the importance of wearing masks. The association supports the use of masks. We support the government mandate of masks. This association supports the restrictions that the government put in place and now it is up to us to educate people about the importance of those things. ”

Springer believes that what the association is doing to help newcomers become part of that Canadian fabric is very important.

“They can be newcomers today and Canadians tomorrow,” he said. “It is important that we have them in this society. We amend them in this partnership. ”

Part of the work the association is doing is helping people who come from a different culture with a different ethic adjust to being a part of Canada.

“This organization is all about HVAC, getting people used to Canadian culture, this is the new Canadian way, let us come along with you,” said Springer. “I call it introducing people to the new Canadian way of life.”

He said it is important for newcomers to understand that they have to adjust to the customs here.

“A lot of people say, well, in my country I used to do this,” he said. “Our education (for newcomers) is like when you go to work for a new company. The company may be a little different than the last one you worked for, so you have to adapt and become part of the new company … I’m very direct when I tell people that they are getting into new ways. Some nice people come with false hopes, false expectations, false dreams… There are people who come to our association with a certain profession. We have doctors who drive taxis. They must understand that they have to retrain and re-qualify. That’s the process here. ”

The Multicultural Association is starting a youth leadership program to help youth get more involved.

“The young children who come as newcomers and immigrants who live here are the doctors, lawyers and factory workers, all kinds of workers of tomorrow,” said Springer. “The soil is already here, it is up to us to help till it together.”

The association is also studying the possibility of carrying out some empowerment programs for women. “Sometimes there are people who come from countries where some of the women walk backwards and in this country, they have to learn to walk forward,” Springer said.

They also want to start a men’s program that helps men understand their roles in the home, not as dominant figures but as partners.

“Sometimes people come from countries where man is the dominant force and they have to understand, no, when you come here you are working in partnership with someone,” Springer said. “You are not the dominant male and you cannot say that I am from this country, I belong to this country, this woman walks around here. You have to understand the laws. ”

They hope to get more support locally to help build a community that will be diverse and vibrant.

“The support we receive from the Red Cross and the federal government is good; our association is very grateful for that, but it is temporary and we need more support, ”said Springer. “The more support we receive, the more services we can provide because we are a growing association. We need the support of Listowel. We need Stratford’s support. We need the support of Woodstock. We need all these communities to come together. We are Canadians. That’s what we do.”