Yvonne Kunju Balogoun, originally from Cameroun, came to Canada in 2009 as a visitor from Europe, specifically Malaga in Spain. A mother of six, Yvonne, tells of their experience scaling the hurdles until she and her family qualified for permanent resident status in 2015. Read her full story here.
Our migration to Canada was quite an experience. We came in as visitors and began navigating the tedious process of getting a work permit and permanent residence status. We landed in Toronto, Ontario, where we were given legal aid to initiate our request for PR. Still, we were faced with the challenge of getting a job in the big city; this warranted us moving from Toronto, Ontario to Saskatoon in Saskatchewan and having our immigration file transferred to SK, where we did not have help with legal aid. We paid out of pocket for all immigration and lawyer fees and worked three jobs to make ends meet. Our refugee claim was denied twice, and at one point, we were facing deportation from Canada. It was at this time that I had two Canadian-born children, and we became a family of six. It was a stressful time for us, and our worries kept us awake at night, but it was worth it when we earned our PR status with the help of our Church Community ( The New Apostolic Church ) and the Saskatoon community who stood up for us by signing a petition we sent to IRCC to let them know we were responsible members of society and were welcome in their city. This petition was submitted as part of the document we sent to support our refugee compassionate claim, and finally, with prayers and faith in God, we were granted PR status in 2015.
In time, we settled in Saskatoon and established ourselves here. This small town and family-friendly community works well for us. It is quiet and peaceful, with a settlement of many African communities originating from Cameroon, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Benin.
My career life has seen me work in many industries and gain a vast knowledge of how the Canadian job market is structured. My first job was as a part-time bilingual call center agent with Maple Leaf ( a division of Canada Bread) in Toronto. When we moved to Saskatoon, I was on maternity leave, after which I got a job as a reservation agent at the Travelodge Hotel Saskatoon where I worked my way up to the front desk manager position in 7 years. I worked at other side jobs such as customer service with the Ritchie Brothers Auctioneers, a Banquet server with the Park Town Hotel, and a Personal caregiver with the Lights of the Prairies as an Instacart shopper. Now, I work with the federal government as a citizen services officer for Services Canada where we are the main printing center for Canadian Passport here in Saskatoon.
My home life was also quite challenging. Having six kids here in Canada and not having any help with the kids as we would have had if we were back home in Cameroon was also overwhelming. My husband and I had to quickly navigate this challenge and find an effective parenting style that worked well for our family. It was also during my maternity leave that I started my small catering business. I started this business to supplement my income while caring for my baby at home. I began cooking on Fridays and Saturdays and would post pictures of my meals on our Cameroonian WhatsApp group for people to order. People loved my food, and most of my regular customers were bachelors, but family people also ordered occasionally. This initiative gave birth to Aunty Y’s Corner, also known as Aunty Y’s Kitchen.
My business has had a few outings. The first time with the Communauté des Africains Francophone de la Saskatchewan, and I also catered for the Saskatoon Police Services. The first big exposure for Aunty Y’s Corner was with the first Black Business Expo in March 2024 at Perryland Park in Saskatoon. I was also at the Naija Food Fair with my team in April of 2024 to give exposure to Cameroonian food and introduce Canadians to the delicacies of Cameroonian cuisine. Aunty Y’s Kitchen is one of the few African caterers in this city, and as a result, I gained popularity and began to cater for events such as birthdays, engagements, and parties. We are also looking forward to our first wedding outing next year.
In time, I registered Aunty Y’s Kitchen with the government and became a legal entity. Now, I cater to the African community and Canadian residents who are adventurous enough to try African food. While we mostly cook Cameroonian dishes, we also cook some Nigerian meals. We make the best Habanero Hot Sauce in the city, we bottle natural fruit juices and ginger shot drinks, and we make delicious puff-puff snacks ( regular and banana), we also make Zobo juice as well. Currently, we are working with the Saskatoon Food Center to commercialize our products; this will make Aunty Y’s products available on the shelves of your local grocery stores very soon.
Looking back on my experience, I am grateful for how far we have come. However, if I were to relive this migration experience, I would do some things differently.
One is ensuring I get PR status before migrating to Canada. It would have saved us a lot of money and hassles regarding renewing documents, fees for immigration applications and difficulty in getting a job. Getting a PR status would also have allowed us to access certain benefits, which would have been very useful then.
I advise anyone coming to Canada to get PR status or a work permit before coming, this is because having a valid resident status gives you an edge and opens many doors upon arrival. Again, life in Canada differs from life back home; everyone here pays their bills and stands independently. Also, migrants should research and learn about their country of interest so that the culture shock does not destabilize them.
Furthermore, the climate in Canada is very cold, so upon arrival, it is wise for newcomers to acclimatize themselves to their new environment and buy warm clothes to wear during the harsh weather so they do not get sick. Health, as they say, is Wealth. Also, migrants should have an open mind and adapt to their new environment. Canadians are very welcoming and will assist migrants in feeling at home here.
As I reflect on our journey, I am filled with profound gratitude for our transformative experiences and growth. Each challenge was a stepping stone, and each success was a testament to our determination. I am truly grateful for this journey that has shaped me into who I am today. I encourage other women of color to embrace their resilience and be strategic in achieving their life’s goals.
Yvonne tells her story from Saskatoon in Saskatchewan, Canada.
