Canada News / April 25, 2024

Filipino Family’s Canadian Dream Revived After $24K Payment

Joy Thompson, a mother from the Philippines, experienced the long-awaited reunion with her daughters, Aubrey and April Nuval, in Canada after decades of separation. Her tireless efforts to bring them to Canada were driven by her deep longing to be close to her children, whom she had left behind in the Philippines when they were young.

The emotional reunion took place at St. John's International Airport in Newfoundland, where Joy anxiously awaited the arrival of her daughters. Aubrey, now 36, and her husband arrived first, followed by April the next day. The moment they saw each other, they embraced tightly, tears flowing freely as they expressed their love and gratitude.

Joy's journey to reunite with her daughters was marked by sacrifice and perseverance. After fleeing an abusive relationship when her children were young, Joy worked tirelessly as a domestic worker in Hong Kong and later in Canada. Despite the physical distance, she remained devoted to her children's education, sending money back home to support their schooling.

Her efforts paid off when all four of her children became registered nurses, a testament to Joy's unwavering commitment to their future. However, Joy's ultimate goal was to bring her children to Canada to live with her, and she spared no effort to make this dream a reality.

The path to reuniting her family was fraught with challenges and setbacks. In 2018, Joy encountered a setback when she engaged an unregistered immigration consultant named Rose Smith to help her daughters immigrate to Canada. Smith charged them a hefty sum of $24,000, promising to assist with their immigration applications and secure them jobs as personal care attendants in Newfoundland.

Despite the high cost and minimal returns, Joy's daughters agreed to the arrangement in hopes of finally living in the same country as their mother. However, their hopes were dashed when their relationship with Smith soured, resulting in the loss of their money and job prospects.

Following an investigation by CBC News, the story gained attention, leading to a positive turn of events for Joy and her daughters. Wanda Cuff-Young, co-owner of Work Global Canada, came across the story and offered her assistance. With Cuff-Young's intervention, the Nuval sisters were offered nursing positions in Newfoundland, providing them with a new opportunity to start their lives in Canada.

The journey to Canada was not without its challenges, as April and her family faced delays due to historic floods in Dubai. However, after five days of travel, they finally arrived in Canada, joining Aubrey and Joy in their long-awaited reunion.

For Joy, the reunion marked a new chapter in her life, filled with joy and gratitude. As she welcomed her daughters and granddaughter into her arms, she reflected on the years of separation and missed milestones. Now, with her family by her side, Joy is ready to embrace the future with hope and optimism.

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