I left my home country, Lebanon, not by choice, but because safety became uncertain and life itself felt fragile. Leaving home is never just a physical move; it is a painful separation from identity, memories, and everything that once made you feel grounded.
Before immigrating to Canada, I worked as a nurse. Nursing was not just my profession; it was my calling. I cared for people during their most vulnerable moments, and nothing was more meaningful than seeing someone breathe again, knowing I was there when life nearly slipped away.
As my career grew, I became the Head Nurse of a pediatric oncology department. In that role, I learned how to lead teams, coordinate complex care, support families through fear and uncertainty, and hold strength and compassion at the same time. Caring for children fighting cancer and standing beside their parents shaped me both professionally and personally in ways that will stay with me forever.
Starting over in Canada was difficult. I could not immediately continue my nursing career, and as a mother of two, my priority became creating stability and safety for my children. Though my path changed, my purpose did not.
Through volunteering and later working as Settlement counsellor at CCI, I rediscovered that sense of meaning supporting newcomers with dignity, care, and hope. Whether helping families find food, warmth, housing, or belonging, I felt the same fulfillment I once felt in hospital rooms. As a parent, I often remind myself: “My child is safe and warm; if we have two jackets, one can go to another child. If we are eating, we can share our food with a child who is hungry.”
The smiles on small faces, the quiet gratitude of parents who feel seen and supported, and the prayers offered in many languages and faiths are gifts beyond words. They bring peace to my heart and remind me why this work matters so deeply.
Today, as Program Coordinator in the Settlement Department, I lead a compassionate team committed to walking alongside families during some of the most uncertain moments of their new lives. We lead with both skill and heart.
Before in Lebanon, I was healing bodies.
Today in Canada, I am healing souls.
The work looks different, but the heart behind it has never changed.
