As part of broader efforts to provide community improvement, a sense of purpose, and personal fulfillment, PWA recently trained 98 new volunteers (the majority of whom are new immigrants to Canada) on skills development, cultural exchange, social connection, employment opportunities, advocacy, and awareness. 

“Volunteers are extremely important to us and our community. That is why we conduct regular volunteer training sessions. Currently, most of our volunteers are immigrants, and these volunteer opportunities serve as PWA benefitting from the vast experience with which newcomers arrive. It also acts their Canadian work experience. We are committed to putting extra effort to ensure they gain the most from it”.

Nester Tom, Dreaming and Engagement Coordinator, PWA

“In today’s session, I learned about the diverse culture in Canada as well as the Indigenous people. I learned how to navigate seamlessly as a newcomer. I also learned how to reposition myself, how to give back to the community, and how to communicate and address people. PWA, to me, is a very flexible organization; it can help broaden your horizon and build upon the skills from your country. This organization will also assist you with issues related to housing, information sharing, and providing a platform and Canadian experience.” This was the reflection from Angela Muwanga, a newcomer form Uganda as she stepped out of the recent volunteer training at the Toronto People with AIDS Foundation (PWA)

Nester explained that although volunteering is unpaid work, it is a platform to gain skills, a chance to network, and an opportunity to learn new skills and encouraged participants to consider volunteering, as it can help them gain meaningful job experience.

Jesus Alfonso, a volunteer who hails from Mexico, said the training has exposed him to how to interact with other members of the society. He said, “Today’s training was very important to me because it cleared up all the doubts, I had about Toronto PWA Foundation and the support, guidance, and rules it provides, affirming that we are all the same people with the support we also have as individuals living with HIV. This session cleared up all my doubts and was extremely interesting.”

Nester Tom also shares that she she started started out volunteering with PWA upon her arrival in Canada. That experience changed her life. That is why she is now so heavily invested in ensuring that fellow newcomers are properly trained and can be helped to integrate seamlessly into society. 

“I feel so great and delighted, especially being exposed to things I didn’t know before. I learned that volunteering can provide a Canadian experience and is also a way of giving back to society. I must thank the organizer for this beautiful idea.”

Adesoye Olajuwon Emmanuel, PWA Volunteer

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