Christmas Fund: Beninese mother is afraid of losing her children

Marjani worries that her difficulties settling down will cost her children, even though the reason she came to Canada was to protect them.

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Marjani came to Canada from Benin six months ago with her five children and says it has been a difficult transition.

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“I am completely alone here,” she said. “I haven’t made any friends here yet.”

She can’t work yet and the bills for the new apartment are coming in fast and furious. Paying rent and electricity is not easy and she has enough left over for food and basic food for her five children, who are between the ages of three and 17. The children are adjusting, but it has been especially difficult for their two oldest, who help around the house. while also concentrating on his schooling.

Marjani worries that her difficulties settling down will cost her children, even though the reason she came to Canada was to protect them. After her last child was born, she said she went into a terrible postpartum depression that made it difficult for her to take care of herself, much less the children. He’s recovered, but he’s concerned that a bad impression from a school teacher or immigration worker could result in his family being taken from him.

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She said there was a case during her process of coming here when her past depression and parenting skills were brought up, and now she feels like there are eyes on her, waiting for her to fail. Lack of employment adds to those concerns. When you’re new to a country, you want to make the best impression, he said.

“Those children are my world,” he said. “It all comes down to me and I am doing the best I can. But I won’t let you down. “

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