My story

I was raised in Bhutan by a single mother who worked tirelessly as a gardener to give me and my siblings an education. She sacrificed everything to keep our family strong, even while being looked down upon for raising four children alone. As the eldest, I grew up caring for my younger siblings and grandparents -- caregiving became second nature to me.

Life was not easy. As a child, I often stayed with my uncle because my mother couldn’t manage all four of us at once. Though he was kind, I often went to bed with an empty stomach, unsure if I would get enough to eat, feeling small and invisible in a world that seemed too big for me. At five, I went to live with my father, where my stepmother mistreated me. From a very young age I learned to cook, clean, wash clothes, and dress myself. Those early hardships made me hardworking, resilient, and determined to study and build a better future.

During the COVID pandemic, I met my husband through social media, and he quickly became my greatest source of strength. His own life had been full of struggles -- he grew up without the right education due to an abusive stepfather, and in 2024, he lost his beloved mother to cancer. Despite his own pain, he never gave up. He worked as a chef and supported me emotionally and financially while I prepared to come to Canada. After we arrived, he took on two jobs to pay my school fees, rent, and living expenses. On his days off, he would join me in cleaning jobs, and he always made sure I had healthy meals to eat. He is hardworking, honest, and innocent at heart -- a man whose love makes me feel the safety and care I once longed for from my own father. I feel so lucky to have him by my side.

Coming to Canada was my dream, but it wasn’t easy. My mother took loans so my husband and I could make this journey. After we arrived, I was blessed with the kindness of Tina, Tiara, and Tiara’s parents, who supported me with my studies and gave me hope when I needed it the most. Tiara even rented me her basement room at a lower rent, and living close to them feels like having a family again. Whenever I need a shoulder to cry on, someone to share with, or advice to guide me, I find it in them.

Canada has given me more than anyone ever could -- when Tina noticed my dedication while I was cleaning Airbnb homes, it was the first time I felt seen and valued. That moment changed the course of my life, giving me hope and a sense of belonging.

I carry these lessons with me every day. My dream is to stand on my own feet, become independent, and build a stable future. As a foreigner in Canada, it is expensive to attend school and pursue higher education. I’m deeply grateful to Tiara for organizing a GoFundMe project to cover my tuition fees and to everyone who contributed. Their generosity -- along with the unwavering support of my husband -- made my dream possible.