Profiles

Profiles
migrant worker smiling for camera in front of fruit boxes

Mellissa, Seasonal Agricultural Worker from Jamaica

I first started coming to Canada as a Seasonal Agricultural Worker in 2009 and worked in an apple orchard in Nova Scotia but the owner got sick and I had to move. 2021 is my first year working on this peach and cherry farm in Ontario. It’s hard starting all over again meeting new people here but there aren’t any jobs or opportunity back home and by working here, I can help my family. The people I work with here are nice.

My husband is a mechanic in Kingston, Jamaica and he and my mom look after our two sons, age 13 and 9. By now, they’re used to me coming here. My kids would love to someday come here to see Canada. They’re always asking about it. I’m a Christian and in my free time, I like to read my Bible, pray, worship and sing gospel songs.