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.
page 4The 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\u2019t come with her.
She felt scared, this bus was full of kids and she didn\u2019t know anyone in there. She put her brave face on and smiled at the driver. She sat down next to a girl who had blonde hair and glasses. She had a pink jacket and a yellow sweater underneath.
She seemed kind. She said asked her something she didn\u2019t 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 her in front of this huge school. school was called "École élementaire Sainte-Thérèse".
