Good afternoon. My name is Hena, for those of you who didn't hear it.
I am 18 years old and I am from Syria. I came to Canada three years ago. My mom used to work as a farmer in Syria, and my dad worked as a train conductor and electrician. My siblings and I aspired to study, do well and exceed in school. We left Syria for Turkey and applied to immigrate to Canada.
I will never forget the first moment in Toronto's airport. The moment we arrived, we found people waiting for us with big smiles on their faces. We spent three days in Toronto, and then we came to Ottawa.
The first year in Ottawa was very hard for me, because I knew very few English words. In the first two years, my family and I focused on learning English as soon as we could. There were interpreters who translated information into Arabic, which is my first language. We wanted to learn English, because it's needed to continue our education and to work here.
In my first year of school, I started learning English in ESL, English as a second language, classes, but now I am in a regular English class. In the second year, I started learning French, even though my English was not good enough. I still wanted to learn. In the third year, I continued learning English, French and my other subjects.
I have done so many activities with others, such as joining the Forum for Young Canadians. I have represented the Minister of Finance.
I have also joined a group of Syrian girls who do paintings and sell them under the Humans for Peace Institution. After we sell the paintings, we donate the money to the blood centre. I have donated blood to the blood centre, which is also under the Humans for Peace Institution.
These activities have helped me develop my speaking skills. The place that helped me to develop my speaking skills the most was the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. I first started going there as a member of their community. After that I started working as a volunteer. I have been volunteering there for two years to the present time. Then I started a program every Monday that was called Leaders for Life. It was also one of the most helpful activities in developing my English.
When I was a little girl I always dreamed of being a neurosurgeon. When I was in Syria I didn't really think that my dream would come true for many reasons. When I came to Canada I found out that my childhood dream could still come true. Now I am very determined to become a neurosurgeon. I know that if I work hard I will reach my dream, because I believe nothing is impossible in Canada.
I am so thankful to the Canadian government and its people, and to the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa. I am so grateful to be in Canada, but it has been a challenge for me and others, trying to figure out how everything works in Canada with papers and customs, just to name a few things. I can see why other immigrants have a hard time. My family and I made family decisions, and we're not afraid to ask people we meet for help. This is not easy for everyone to do if they don't work hard.
Thank you.