Author: Azadeh Haidari-Garmash, RCIC
Migrant Workers Find Support and Education at Ontario Library
Beamsville, Ontario – After a grueling day tending to crops at a flower farm, Rolando Morales Ventura eagerly steps into the welcoming atmosphere of the Lincoln Pelham Public Library's Fleming Branch. Volunteers from the Migrant Farmworkers Project (MFP) greet him and his colleague, Juan Ramón Montes Orozco, with cheers and warm pizza, a comforting gesture for those far from home.
Morales Ventura, separated from his four children in Mexico due to work commitments in Canada, finds solace in the MFP events. "Wherever you are, you're going to have to work. But being alone, that's what's hard," he shared with CBC Hamilton, his words translated from Spanish.
On November 28, the two colleagues attended an information session about Plaza Comunitaria, an innovative program in the Niagara Region designed to help Mexican adults complete their elementary and secondary education. This initiative, managed locally by MFP, aims to bridge educational gaps for migrant workers.
Originally from Puebla, Mexico, Morales Ventura has been making the annual trek to Canada for eight years. His interest in the MFP program stems from a desire to finish high school. "Here it's different because you can go [to MFP events] every week," he reflected. "If there's something you need to talk about … people reach out."
A Community Initiative with Global Roots
Plaza Comunitaria is sponsored by Mexico's National Institute for Adult Education in collaboration with Mexican Foreign Relations. Extending through the United States and Mexico, the program has found a new home in Ontario, facilitated by MFP, marking it as the second such initiative in Canada, according to Rev. Antonio Illas. The other program is established in Quebec.
Illas, a missionary with MFP, highlighted the organization's comprehensive support for migrant workers, which includes health checkups, weekly meals at St. Alban's Anglican Church, and free clothing from its Tiendita (Little Shop).
Daniel Olvera Flores, a refugee from Querétaro, Mexico, regularly attends MFP gatherings. For him, these events are not just educational; they are a chance to connect with fellow Mexicans and combat the loneliness of adjusting to life in Canada. "I have seen this support very few times in the three years I have been living here," he noted with satisfaction.
Empowering Through Education
The concept for Plaza Comunitaria was inspired by migrant workers encountering educational and language barriers while seeking permanent residency in Canada. Illas recounted the story of a worker encouraged by his daughter to complete his studies after supporting his family's education.
"Many workers might just want to do it for personal success and gratification," Illas explained. "It's one of the ways where a migrant worker can show the world, show the family that they can do it."
The initial sessions of Plaza Comunitaria, launched in late October, have received an enthusiastic response. Workers are embracing the program with an "I can do it" mindset, Illas observed.
A Perfect Learning Environment
The library provides the ideal setting for the program, with volunteer tutors assisting workers in navigating the curriculum through online platforms and practicing English. Illas emphasized the importance of a supportive environment, rather than simply providing login credentials.
The library fosters a connection between the migrant workers and the broader Canadian community. "Seeing how proud they feel getting the library card or borrowing a Chromebook to be able to do online stuff … it's just positive feedback that I have seen from the workers," Illas said, noting that these individuals are contributing members of the community.
As the final session of Plaza Comunitaria for the season approaches, anticipation builds for its return in March. The program continues to offer not just education, but a sense of belonging and empowerment for those who toil far from their homelands.
