2016 has been a challenging, exciting and very busy year for both Settlement and Language Service providers and I can think of no better time to join Bequie and Teresa, Seid, Michelle and Immaculate here at MANSO, our amalgamated umbrella organization. Their experience, expertise and commitment to ensuring newcomers to Manitoba are welcomed and engaged is matched only by that of the staff of the organizations they work so hard to support.
Last Wednesday, on only my third day here at MANSO, I had the pleasure of attending the Entry Program’s AGM. I was amazed to hear that they had worked with newcomers from 236 countries in the last fiscal year, with arrivals from the Philippines and India in a strong first and second position, but perhaps unsurprisingly, Syria coming in as the third largest source country with 7% of the total.
I arrived in Manitoba 12 years ago, as a Provincial Nominee, and since then I have been a client, EAL volunteer, direct services provider and finally a manager in our sector. I have already met representatives from many of our member organizations at meetings and conferences, and I hope to get to know many more of you face-to-face in the months to come.
Au plaisir de vous voir bientôt!
Vicki Sinclair
