Lucia Guerrero, a six grader, just arrived toMontréal, Canada from Caquetá, Colombia. Her mom told her she was going to visit her aunt Valentina and uncle Juan for a few weeks.She was excited to see the snow for the first time but sad to leave her mom behind. Since her father’s passing, she had never been away from her mother for that long.Nervous but hopeful, Lucia made her way out of the airport gate. She was warmly received by her aunt and uncle that she had not seen for two years. They were surprised at how tall she had gotten since the last time they saw her.
On the ride back to her aunt’s and uncle’s house, she was told Colombia wasn’t a safe place anymore.They got to Montréal first, when her uncle Juan and aunt Valentina were told to leave their home in the mountains by la guerrilla. They always thought about going back home but it wasn’t the right time. They both explained to Lucia that she was not just there to visit. They told her she was going to stay in Canada for a few years. The news shocked Lucia, she was worried about never seeing her mom again. They calmly informed her that her mom was gathering most of their belongings together to bring to Canada and that she will join in a few months. In the mean time, she could write her letters. That night, in her new home and new bedroom, she decided to write a letter to her mom. She wrote that she understood why she didn’t want to tell her they were moving to Canada permanently but that she will very much miss her until she gets here.
A few days passed and it was finally time to go to school. The sky was gloomy, it was very cold. She had a winter jacket on, a new blue backpack on her back and a "tuque”. She saw a big yellow bus come towards her. She’s only seen those in movies. Her aunt said she needed to go inside by herself and she couldn’t come with her.
She felt scared, this bus was full of kids and she didn’t know anyone in there. She put her brave face on and smiled at the driver. She sat down next to a girl who had short blonde hair and glasses. She had a pink jacket and a yellow sweater underneath.
She seemed kind. She said asked her something she didn’t understand and her throat tightened as she shed a few quiet tears while seeing her aunt wave from a distance. The blonde girl reached for her backpack and handed Lucia a tissue.
Once the bus stopped, they all got out of the school bus. A teacher was waiting for Lucia in front of the school called "École élementaire Sainte-Thérèse".
She took Lucia to her new class and asked her to remove her jacket and stand in front of her new classmates. Lucia was nervous but she saw the girl who sat next to her in the bus.
The blonde girl next to her introduced herself. Her name was Amanda. Lucia finally felt at ease.
The teacher gave them some crayons and blank paper. The girls had to colour and draw a "Bonhomme de neige". A big man made of snow with a carrot as nose and wood sticks as hands. I was finally enjoying being there.
Then, the loud bell rang again. Lucia assumed it was recess. Amanda signaled her to follow her so they rapidly put their winter coats on, boots and went outside. she saw this enormous playground, she had never seen slides and rides that big before!
After some time playing in the snow and sliding on the slides they noticed the lunch lady coming to them.
She seemed concerned. Amanda signaled to follow her back inside the school. The lady took us to a big basketball court where there were tables and kids sitting down eating their food.
She asked Amanda about a "boite a lunch". She sadly waved goodbye and kept walking towards our classroom.
The lady and lucia stood there and she signaled a picture of a School bus. Then, she took Lucia to the principal’s office. The principal was an old lady dressed business casual.
The principal took a phone and called someone. After a few minutes, a boy Lucia's age entered the office. He introduced himself as José. He said he spoke Spanish and he was there to help. He asked me what I was doing at the park with Amanda on our own.
Then, Lucia remembered her aunt saying something about going home when it was time to eat. She was supposed to look for the bus driver. She had forgotten and she panicked thinking she was never going to see her aunt again.
José tried to comfort Lucia saying that the principal already called her aunt to pick her up.
As what felt like hours, she saw her aunt coming into the office. she got up from the chair and hugged her aunt tightly.
They thanked José and the principal. Lucia and her aunt got into the car. While driving to the house, she explained Lucia had to take the bus with Mr. Lucas every morning, at lunchtime and after school. He was going to wait for all the kids in front of his big yellow bus number 778 at lunchtime and after school.
At the end of the day, her aunt, uncle and Lucia sat down at the kitchen table. As they finished eating a typical colombian meal, they asked me how was school after all... I told them I made a new friend..Amanda.
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