Nigerians’ Simi and Peter are immigrants in Canada and recently shared their story and the struggles they face in their journey to a better life.
Simi who came to Canada alone to study said, “When I came to Canada I was going to school in Hamilton so it was good. I was in boarding school so it was good.”
She explained that her journey took a turn for the worse when her business failed and the cost of living in Toronto went up.
Simi invested in a business idea that didn’t work out and also managed a fashion business. Both failed and she’s struggling financially.
She added that housing in Toronto added to her struggles.
“There’s an issue with housing. It’s not so much detox, it’s not so much hospitals, it’s not so much the mental health, like the therapy. It’s more so housing that there’s issues with,” she said.
Adding to her struggles Simi has anxiety and traditional 9-to-5 jobs are difficult for her to sustain.
“I struggle with anxiety. And so working on a 9-to-5 is quite difficult. I’m trying to figure out what to do and how to balance myself,” she said.
When asked if she was homeless now she said, “I’m working on it.”
Peter, 25, arrived in Canada as a student in December 2023 with his dad’s financial support. Things were good until his dad had a stroke and couldn’t support him anymore.
“I came in as a student. I was doing good, but all of a sudden my dad who was my sponsor fell sick. He had a stroke. So they couldn’t support me again,” Peter said.
Now homeless he needs shelter the most.
When asked what would help him the most he said, “Shelter. They help me the most.”
Simi and Peter’s story is just one of many that shows the harsh reality that many immigrants face between high hopes and hard times. They are brave to share their story so we can see the need for housing support, mental health resources and help for vulnerable newcomers in Canada.