Meet Krishia, a 26-year-old nurse from the Philippines who recently embarked on a new adventure in Manitoba, Canada. Back home, she spent five years working as a nurse and found herself drawn to Manitoba's opportunities - inspired by her relatives who have lived in Manitoba for over 20 years. “I really liked the lifestyle they were living, and this inspired me to come to Canada”, she says.

Originally from the countryside in the Philippines, Krishia has fallen in love with the charm of Portage la Prairie, where she now resides. Despite the snowy winter, the supportive community, especially the Filipino community, has made the adjustment smooth for her. “I'm not a big city girl, so the small-town vibes suit me perfectly. The Filipinos here have been very supportive in reaching out to see if I need help – they are so nice!”, says Krishia.

Landing in Winnipeg was overwhelming yet heartwarming. The support from staff, her family and the welcoming atmosphere made her realize that this wasn't just a visit or a travel expedition, but a new chapter in her life. “The best part was being able to spend Christmas in Winnipeg with my grandmother, my aunt and cousins after almost 20 years of being separated – it was truly special.”, she says with a sparkle in her eye.

This is Krishia’s first time seeing snow, and experiencing weather that is below 15 degrees Celcius. The winter in Manitoba has been a shock, but Krishia is embracing it with heated socks and a positive mindset. When asked what new hobbies she’s hoping to find, she says “I’m really looking forward to trying new winter activities, like skiing with my cousins next month in Asessippi, and perhaps some fishing in the Spring”, she giggles.

As a Health Care Aide at Lions Prairie Manor, a personal care home in Portage La Prairie, Krishia is excited about the challenges and the chance to grow personally and professionally. When Krishia talks about her work environment, she praises her colleagues “I love my manager, she’s so supportive and is helping me adapt to my new role. My colleagues are so nice. I just really feel like they are setting me up to succeed”, she says with a sigh of relief.

As a Health Care Aide, Krishia mentions the role is very fulfilling because she gets to help people every day. She says “I enjoy doing bedside care, talking with the residents is quite enjoyable for me as it gives me a sense of accomplishment”. She is now starting to build connections with the residents, and getting to know each of them on a personal level.

Krishia’s journey to Manitoba began in November, and when asked about her most memorable moment so far – she says with a smile from ear to ear, “Trying poutine for the first time with my cousins was amazing. I even FaceTimed my family back home to tell them! I’ve had fries before – but this was so good, I loved it!”

Krishia emphasized that the journey from the Philippines to Manitoba has been made smoother thanks to the incredible support from staff at Southern Health-Santé Sud. She says “even just the small things made such a difference, from answering emails promptly to helping us do groceries on our first day here, it all helped so much.”

The support from her colleagues and community has been instrumental in making this transition a success for Krishia. She says “Though I've mainly met people from work and my neighbors in the apartment, exchanging stories with a new neighbor from Ukraine has been really nice.”

Exploring more of her new hometown and building connections is on her to-do list.

Krishia’s long-term goal of pursuing her dream of becoming a registered nurse in Manitoba is on the horizon. She looks forward to more adventures, making new friends, and enjoying all that Manitoba has to offer!

Join us in Welcoming Krishia to Southern Health-Santé Sud, and to Manitoba!