“I walked to school every day with my best friend. She was the prettiest girl in school and my neighbour, so we had been walking together since we were just seven years old.

We both wanted to be lawyers and dreamt about studying at an international university. One day, one of the gangs in our city showed up at our school and kidnapped multiple girls. They did not harm me, but I never saw my friend again. My mom was too scared to send me to school after that, and the streets we used to walk in with my friend were dark too quiet now.

I was not harmed but I never saw my friend again. My mom was too scared to send me to school after that and the streets we used to walk in with my friend were dark and too quiet now.

I had given up on my dreams to become a lawyer, but my mother never did. She did everything she could to get me out of our city and to safety in Canada.

When I arrived in Canada, I was scared and didn’t know how to start my refugee claim, but I learned about COMPASS through a girl I met at church. She gave me directions to their office and I went first thing in the morning. Everyone was very friendly and welcoming. They helped me find a lawyer and get my work permit.

After three years, I have my work permit and can start studying again. I am not in university yet but my dream to become a lawyer doesn’t seem impossible anymore. I want to be an immigration lawyer so I can protect people who need help and justice.

I wish my best friend could be with me, but I know she would be proud of everything I have done to make our dreams come true.”

Rosia