An immigrant from Venezuela, who made her home in Âé¶čAV, says she will return to her country and bring elements of Canadian culture with her once Nicolas Madoura is no longer president.
Mariely Acevedo moved to Âé¶čAV a year ago, and spent Saturday night making Arepas, a popular Venezuela dish as part of the annual Taste of Home event, which highlights different cultures in the Central Okanagan.
âI came with my husband, I moved out of my country (because of the) political problems. I decided to go to South Korea to live for two years,â she said.
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She decided to start a life with her husband and upon researching warmer places in Canada, they settled on Âé¶čAV.
âI cannot live in Toronto, itâs too cold,â she said.
Her family is still in Venezuela, including her two siblings.
âI am here, but my heart and my mind are in Venezuela because today is a big day where we still protest⊠I believe weâll be free soon,â she said.
Massive protests were held in Venezuelaâs capital last Saturday, opposing Madouraâs rule.
âIâm not with Madoura, my president is Juan GuaidĂł right now.â GuaidĂł was self-declared interim president in January and is supported by Canada.
Canada has condemned Venezuelaâs current president, as Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said his inauguration Jan. 10, calling the election â.â
Canada has also imposed sanctions on officials in the regime.
Approximately 3 million people have fled the country since 2015, due to political and economic issues.
âIt is important because I like to share my culture with people and bring Venezuelan culture to Canada and Iâm so proud to be here,â she said, adding she appreciates Canadaâs cultural events, as it allows people to develop empathy for immigrants.
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âWe need that right now. We need this kind of humility in the world.â
Acevedo said sheâs been learning about Canadaâs education system, business planning and the lifestyle.
She wants to bring that education to Venezuela to help its children thrive and plans to go back once Madoura is no longer president.
Taste of Home has been held in Âé¶čAV for the last 15 years, as part of Global Citizen Events.
âWhen immigrants come here they miss the smell and taste of home, so itâs a way of celebrating those flavours and essence for people for those communities and itâs also a way for people to learn a little bit about them,â said Dorothee Birker, communications and development coordinator with Âé¶čAV Community Resources, which hosted the event Saturday night.
âWe have more immigrants coming all the time, our community is becoming more diverse and itâs great to be able to celebrate the different cultures,â she said.
The event wrapped up Saturday night at the Main Street Centre.
carli.berry@kelownacapnews.com
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