Finding a Refuge—Part I
¡Hola, amigos!
Being in El Salvador is presenting us with opportunities we wouldn’t otherwise have, and we are meeting people we would not otherwise meet. There are so many people coming here from around the world for the same reasons as us. And also many people we have met here who are returning to their home country, now that it isn’t war-torn or controlled by gangs.
We met a Salvadoran couple recently—she reached out to me because she’d seen my blog posts online. Verenice and Mauricio have spent the last 40 years in Canada—working and raising their children. They loved Canada for its beauty and freedom. But they don’t feel the same way about it anymore.
“We wish we didn't have to leave Canada. It became our home 40 years ago. A home we learned to love, for it was a country that respected human rights and freedoms and the safety of its citizens was a priority.
Now, we feel compelled to leave the country, for it pains us to see how our beloved home no longer upholds the values and principles that once made it a great society.”
—Verenice
While talking with them, Tom and I could sense that they are very torn with their decision to leave Canada, and start a new life back in El Salvador. Their children are all grown, and have children of their own. I can only imagine what kind of special bonds they’ve formed with their grandchildren, as they live nearby. But they spoke of making a haven here for their children and grandchildren to come to in the future.
During the pandemic, they spent a lot of their time here, while Canada locked down and used discriminatory measures against many people. For people who refused to take the Covid vaccine, and also people who didn’t want to make their vaccine status public, life became VERY difficult. Often that even cost those people—myself and thousands of others—their jobs (not to mention all those coerced against their will). The media in Canada shamed “those people” for over two years, saying they were spreading the virus at much higher rates. Recently that has been shown to be unfounded, but the damage cannot be undone—many families, friends, coworkers, etc, were pitted against each other. Our freedoms were taken quickly, with fear and coercion used against us.
I asked Verenice a few questions about why they’re choosing to move back here, after living in Canada for so long.
Me: What did you love about Canada that kept you there?
“We didn't fall in love with Canada right away, as adjusting to a new way of life is not easy. The language was not unfamiliar, as English was a subject throughout our entire elementary and secondary education. However, it wasn't enough to communicate well with others.
It was hard to cope with the cold weather too, as we come from a tropical country where most of the days—even “winter” days—are sunny and hot.
When it comes to culture, we experienced a culture shock as many of the traditions were new to us. I think it's fair to say, we were homesick during the first years.
As time passed, we started to appreciate those things we’d been taking for granted: freedom, safety, order, a high quality of education, a great healthcare system, and foremost—the respect of human rights.
Our privacy and decisions were respected by the state and others, in the same way that we respected theirs.
The land was also beautiful! And we realized that every country has its own beauty. Yes, Canada was beautiful in its own way. It was a peaceful land!
Canada was not just a prosperous, developed country that offered many life opportunities, but a land where multiculturalism was its brand. And what a treasure it’s been to be able to interact with other cultures.
Oh Canada! How much I miss those days!”
—Verenice
Me: After 40 years of living in Canada, what are the main reasons that you’ve decided to move back to El Salvador?
“El Salvador is our homeland and is a country which is making lots of progress in many areas such as health, education, but most importantly, security. The organized crime that for many years controlled, threatened, extorted, raped, and killed many Salvadorans no longer exists.
The country has moved from being the most violent country in the world, to being the safest in Latin America.
All of this is attracting tourists and many investors, which will create job opportunities. Consequently, the life of many Salvadoran families will be enhanced. Now the Salvadoran people can enjoy peace, security, and authentic freedom.
Every day the Arts and Culture are being exalted and all the moral and spiritual values that make a society great are being recovered and revived.
Step-by-step, El Salvador is laying the foundation that will lead it towards development and prosperity, and consequently to the improvement of the life of each one of its inhabitants.
And with the adoption of Bitcoin as legal currency, as Stacy Herbert said in one of her tweets,
“El Salvador is now the only country with economic liberty as its guiding principle.”
These are very important things for us, and Canada no longer offers the life opportunities that it once did.”
—Verenice
**Because this ended up being a fairly lengthy post, I’ve divided it into two parts. Stay tuned for my next blog post with the rest of our interview…coming soon!
***Sneak peak:
We’ll talk more about what’s been happening in Canada that led them to this decision…and why their friend from communist Cuba saw the writing on the wall and left Canada recently too.
Very interesting. I'll mention El Salvador to my older son as a nation to visit and maybe invest in and more.
Interesting perspective. Several Salvadorans I have become friends with in El Salvador have a difficult time understanding why I would leave Canada for El Salvador. Having fellow Salvadorans who have lived in Canada for 40 (!?) years offer their thoughts on returning should be eye opening.
Needless to say I'm sharing this post with said Salvadoran friends ;)