Building a new beginning: Rouaa Bazid’s journey from isolation to empowerment in Canada

Rouaa Bazid left Syria in mid-2023 and arrived in Canada facing significant challenges, including language barriers, parenting responsibilities, and the need to build stability in a new environment. During her early days, she experienced social isolation and uncertainty about how best to support her children.

“Many challenges affected my family and me, and I wanted to prevent them from affecting my children,” she shares. “I suffered social isolation; I wanted to learn English because that was the bigger barrier for me to settle down but I helped myself to overcome these challenges.”

Through ISANS, Rouaa accessed a wide range of services, including Early Childhood Education (ECE), HIPPY, family support, language classes, newcomer wellness, case management, community integration programs, and employment counselling. These supports played a vital role in helping her gain confidence, achieve stability, and work toward her personal goals. Rouaa joined the HIPPY program during her first year in Canada when her child was three years old. Now, as her son approaches six, they are set to graduate in June 2026 after completing the full three-year curriculum reading 18 books and participating in 13 group sessions that strengthened her ability to support her child’s learning at home. “The programs exceeded my expectations, and I appreciate how certain programs have helped me engage my children and benefit from the services,” Rouaa says. “My most urgent need was to care for my children. I would like to thank ISANS teachers and employees for their support”.

Rouaa reflects positively on her journey, expressing gratitude for the support she received and pride in her accomplishments. Her experience highlights the power of consistent guidance, particularly through her collaboration with a HIPPY home visitor, which helped her set goals, access the right programs, and become more engaged in her community. Rouaa’s story is a testament to how, through connection, support, and shared effort, together we grow by building stronger families and more confident futures.

Rouaa’s Home Visitor, Omnia Mohamed, describes Rouaa as an active mom for the past three years, who has consistently attended HIPPY visitations and Parent Group Meetings and engaged in all activities with curiosity. Rouaa’s resiliency in overcoming multiple challenges, while also continuously improving herself and maintaining positivity, speaks volumes about her as a person and her character.