On Dec. 2, 2019 Salomao Santos landed in New Brunswick to begin a brand new life in Canada — one thing he had been dreaming about for years.
Santos was certainly one of 13 Brazilians to maneuver to New Brunswick to work with JD Irving that 12 months. And in March, his spouse and three youngsters had been anticipated to be a part of him at their new residence in Chipman.
However then the worldwide pandemic hit, and Santos was separated from his household indefinitely.
“I needed to overcome lots of points,” Santos mentioned. “The difficulties of the language, adaptation time right here.”
Santos mentioned he began to be taught English when he first moved to the province, and even that was sophisticated by the pandemic.
“We needed to be in quarantine — remoted at residence as a result of we could not have any contact with individuals locally — it was laborious.”
Kalebe, 8, has been spending his time driving his new bike since he moved to New Brunswick. (Gary Moore/CBC)
A newcomer to rural New Brunswick, Santos was lacking his household again in Brazil, and questioning how they had been dwelling by way of the pandemic with out him.
“I used to be right here very frightened about them. And I could not think about after I may see them,” Santos mentioned.
Santos mentioned he had assist from the village of Chipman and JD Irving to assist with a number of the obstacles he confronted, however the uncertainty of when he could be reunited along with his household left him feeling misplaced.
At one level, he was informed his household would not arrive till Christmas of this 12 months, greater than a 12 months after he moved, and 9 months later than initially deliberate.
Salomao Santos moved from Brazil to New Brunswick in 2019 to work with J.D. Irving. After 10 months of delays brought on by the pandemic, his spouse and youngsters had been lastly in a position to be a part of him. 2:13
“My youngster is rising, they want some assist for all the things. So I acquired actually involved,” he mentioned.
However, all that modified on Sept. 22 when his household landed in Chipman.
After which it was solely two weeks of self-isolation earlier than they might see one another once more.
“I could not look forward to the second to be with the household once more,” mentioned Magda, Salomao’s spouse, in Portuguese.
The Santos household, from Brazil, are settling in to their new residence in Chipman, N.B. (Gary Moore/CBC)
Magda and her youngsters have simply began to be taught English.
Salomao interprets questions and solutions for his household.
“He likes to journey the bike, and he desires to see the snow — he goals about that,” Salomao answered for his son Kalebe, 8.
In his first few weeks at his new residence, Kalebe has been driving a brand new bike.
Salomao’s eldest daughter, 19–12 months–outdated Helen, has been specializing in studying English so she will apply to the College of New Brunswick.
New residence
Idalecio Oliveira moved to New Brunswick in July of final 12 months. He lives in Fredericton and commutes to Deersdale, roughly an hour north of the capital metropolis, for his forestry job with JD Irving.
Like Santos, Oliveira moved to the province forward of his household, and was aside for a number of months earlier than his spouse and children made the journey.
“It was so laborious to remain so removed from my youngsters and my spouse,” he mentioned, including that the household stored in contact by way of WhatsApp whereas they had been aside.
Idalecio Oliveira moved to Fredericton in July 2019, pictured right here along with his daughters. His household moved to the province a number of months later. (Gary Moore/CBC )
Regardless of a very long time away from his household, Oliveira was lucky sufficient to have his household transfer to New Brunswick simply earlier than the pandemic shut down the borders.
“If you get residence, getting back from work, and you’ll hug your youngsters and kiss your spouse — that is so good,” Oliveira gushed about having his household with him.
The household has been collectively in Fredericton since March. Oliveira mentioned they’re settling in effectively to date.
“I’m very joyful to see them right here. They’re enhancing with the languages and they’re making associates right here. I feel that is so good for them.”
Oliveira plans to remain in New Brunswick completely. He mentioned he could not move up the prospect for his younger daughters, six and ten years outdated, to develop up in Canada.
“The chance to know one other nation, new tradition and to be taught language,” Oliveira mentioned.
“To present my daughters the chance to be taught two different languages — French and English.”
