Hi, my name is Purity. I'm reaching out because I need help returning to the only place I've truly called home.

I arrived in Canada on September 8, 2019, when I was 14 years old. Before that, l lived in the U.S. since l was 9, and I left Nigeria in 2015. My time in Nigeria was filled with pain from the age of 7 l was constantly physically and sexually abused. I grew up without any family support and I lost my grandmother who was my best friend in 2021. From a very young age, l’ve went through so much mentally but being in my Canada saved me.

Canada was where I found safety, healing, and a community that accepted me. I started and completed high school, I was rolled in College, had a career plan, made lifelong friends, joined a mental health support group alongside with therapy, worked, and advocated for BIPOC communities. It was the first time I felt like I belonged somewhere and I had a voice to speak.

Aside from my safety, Canada helped me see a future where I wasn't so scared. A future where I didn't have to worry about whether my skirt was too short or if I could eat today. A future that allowed me to speak up for myself and be a voice for others.

It's more than just about me missing my friends and the ones and I now call family, l wanna go back to home because home was where accepted me

Please help me come back home

Purity Godwin