Around 200 newcomers to Huron County attended the recent Newcomer Day at Camp Klahanie south of Goderich. The event was hosted by the Huron Immigration Partnership, the Goderich Lions Club and the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario.
Karen Terpstra was a newcomer when she arrived from the Philippines in 2011. She had the advantage of already being able to speak English.
“When I first got here I only knew my husband so it was a little bit scary at first," said Terpstra. "But the second day that I was here, I met a Filipino at the grocery store and from then on we talked to each other and she introduced me to the other Filipinos.”
Terpstra says she arrived in Huron County in the fall and when she asked her husband what winter was like, he suggested she put her hands in the freezer to get an idea of winter. But she stayed here anyway.
Terpstra thought Newcomers Day was really good.
"I'm glad that the Immigration Partnership, as well as the Lions, organized a day like this," she said. "It's nice to see people from other countries and you have the same experience. There's a lot of activities for the kids also.”
Terpstra said the event gave newcomers the opportunity to meet others and share their experiences. The hosts also provided newcomers with information on who to contact for things like learning to speak English or a variety of other services that are available in their communities.
