Arun Kunnel Varkey, Personal Support Worker, "I can see their happiness."

Arun Kunnel Varkey and his wife had only been in Canada a few days when they needed to take the bus across London.
This was all new, they had no idea how the bus system worked here. And it showed.
As the couple used their phone to research routes and procedures, a woman noticed them and came over to help. Then she travelled with them to their transfer stop, got off the bus with them and waited with them until their next bus arrived.
“That was our first impression of dealing with somebody we didn’t know in London,” Arun said in a recent interview. “This very incident – with a random person the first time we went out – formed our perception about the London community. They were ready to help new immigrants without any bias. 
“It was mind-blowing.”
After working as a nurse for eight years in his home country of India, Arun had arrived in Canada in 2017 as a skilled worker.
“Once we came here, we felt like we were Canadians. We learned the culture, we said ‘we are going to be Canadians,’” he said.
While Arun wanted to remain in health care, he would have to return to school to become certified if he wanted to work as a nurse here. .
He found work in a factory that makes car parts. That same year, he completed a personal support worker (PSW) program, so he could get back to working in health care.
As a PSW, Arun works long hours – longer since COVID-19 struck.
But it is a labour of love for someone who has considered health care is a vocation since he was a youth helping neighbours and his grandparents in India.
“I always liked helping people. When I had to choose a profession, I thought this would be good for me,” he said. “I work in the community and I want to make a positive change in people’s lives.”
He said he feels good about helping senior citizens, especially those who live alone and do not receive visits from family or friends.
“These days the only people they are seeing from outside the home are the health care workers and that 45 minute or one-hour visit is really important for them,” he said. “I can see their happiness.”  
As for nursing, Arun says he’s “still working on,” getting his certification in Ontario. “But while I do that, I thought I’d be in the same field and keep helping people.”
His work has given him purpose in Canada.
“As a newcomer it’s difficult in the beginning, but once you find something you enjoy, it will make a difference,” he says.