From a young age, 27-year-old Daniel from South Sudan has been passionate about serving others. He envisioned becoming a doctor, attending to patients and running a hospital. However, the realities of being a refugee limited his ability to pursue this dream. Despite facing many obstacles, Daniel pursued a degree in healthcare management and later got a job at a local hospital as a health records officer and nursing assistant.
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Daniel’s friend shared information that he had received from RefugePoint about the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP). The EMPP is a program that offers skilled refugees and displaced people an opportunity to work permanently in Canada. Through its Labor Mobility Program, RefugePoint partners with the Canadian Government, UNHCR, and Talent Beyond Boundaries to help qualified refugees living in Kenya to immigrate to Canada through work-based visas.
“At first, I was reluctant because I thought it (EMPP) probably wasn’t for me and that other people would be chosen. After a while, I realized this might be my opportunity, so I applied,” Daniel shared.
While Daniel waited for news about the status of his application to the EMPP, he kept busy serving as a mentor for local youth, conducting basketball training, and providing first aid during sporting events. One afternoon, as Daniel was playing basketball with his friends, he received the call he had long been waiting for. His application was successful, and he was offered a position as a Continuing Care Assistant at Northwood, a continuing care organization in Nova Scotia. “I could not hide my excitement. I jumped up and down and shouted. I had been waiting for a response for a while, and at some point, I felt I was losing hope. I felt this opportunity might pass me,” Daniel shared.
For Daniel, this opportunity offers a sense of hope and a shot at fulfilling his lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. “It feels like I have been given a new chance to explore different possibilities with unlimited potential that will expose me to the right people to accomplish what I’ve always wanted to do, knowing that I have been given a fair chance to do so,” Daniel explained.
Daniel hopes to further his studies and attain a Master’s degree in healthcare. He also aims to provide for his grandmother and three siblings, who are studying in Kenya.
“Leaving them behind is quite an emotional moment for me, but it is necessary because it’ll enable me to give them a better life and help them finish school. I’d like to tell them it’s for the best,” Daniel shared.