Musafiri's Journey towards successful career in Canada

I am Musafiri, a father of 2 children aged 8 and 14. My kids visit me over the weekends as I am divorced. Since coming to Canada from Congo, Uganda and through volunteering and jobs I worked, I got the opportunity to work with a number of people including marginalized individuals and people with no or limited resources in the community by providing resources and other required supports they needed. I worked as an Interpreter at ISS of BC and later as a Facilitator at Mennonite Central Committee BC. However, during that time, my parents’ health deteriorated and I had to go back home to take care of them. I came back in November 2020 and was actively looking for work, but due to the pandemic situation and lack of certification, I was unable to secure any employment.

Though I came here with education from back home, I did not get the opportunity to get retrained here because of finances, therefore, it limited my options and chances of moving forward in a sustainable career. Lack of certification in the career of choice regardless of my experience was preventing me from finding employment since a certification is a requirement.

Then, I learned about the PBLMT program at WorkBC and my case manager at WorkBC Centre Newton helped me enroll for the PBLMT program at Discovery Community College. I managed to complete the Personal/Mental Health certificate PBLMT program
because I had the experience and passion working with marginalized individuals and WorkBC provided the required financial aid.

I am currently employed full time as Transition Worker in mental healthcare services.

I want to express my sincere gratitude to WorkBC for the financial support and advice that enabled me to take the personal support / Mental Health program from Discovery Community College. With this financial aid, I was able to learn and gain skills and experiences that I need for employment and refocus my future career. I am deeply appreciative of the support.