Jean-Paul Gasigwa was 17 years old when he came to Edmonton.
He grew up in Kenya and moved here to attend the the Faculté Saint-Jean at the University of Alberta. After he graduated, he worked on campus as a student advisor, helping other newcomers. He recently got a job with the federal government.
“Edmonton welcomed me and showed me a lot of things that I wanted and needed,” he says. “My first opportunities in Canada happened in Edmonton. My first meaningful friendships in Canada were made in Edmonton.”
Every year, the city welcomes thousands of newcomers from across Alberta, Canada and around the world. More than 175,000 people have moved to the city since 2016—with more than 100,000 arriving over the last two years alone.
Here’s Jean-Paul’s story.
