Innocent Migabo, Hospital Cleaner, “Whatever job you do, know that you are making a difference in your community!”

“I did not choose Canada, Canada chose me,” says a grateful Innocent Migabo.  After spending more than four years in refugee camps in Namibia, he arrived with his family on a bitterly, cold freezing day in December 2017 to begin his new life in the country that offered his family safe refuge.
Innocent and his family have settled down quickly in London, something he attributes to the combined efforts of their private sponsors, settlement workers, teachers, classmates and friends from his neighbourhood.  In short, the London community that welcomed him.
Innocent is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he trained as a nurse.  It was a natural progression to pursue a career as a personal support worker (PSW) in Canada, but first he had to upgrade his English-language skills although he is very comfortable with French.   
As he prepares for his chosen career, Innocent has found work in the housekeeping department at London Health Science’s Victoria Hospital.  He believes that the work he does contributes to the welfare of the patients and the hospital staff, especially during these stressful months of the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Innocent has felt encouraged by the appreciation that he has received from the hospital administration, the patients and his colleagues for showing up on the frontline everyday even though he was worried for the safety of his family. It is so good to hear the words, “Thank you for what you are doing,'' he says.  Innocent learned how important it was to protect himself and others by following the regulations regarding personal protective equipment and sanitizing.
Innocent’s children love being in Canada, where they have blossomed into happy young people, who enjoy the outdoors and their schools.  With five kids under the age of 12, it is a lot of fun and a lot of hard work but “London is a beautiful place to live and raise children,” he says.   He is committed to London and offers these words of encouragement to newcomers: “First of all”, he says, “know that London is your home.  Work hard to develop your English skills and do not be afraid to go back to school in order to get whatever qualifications you need.  Lastly, whatever job you do, know that you are making a difference in your community!”

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