Each year on March 8, International Women’s Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of women while also reflecting on the work that still lies ahead to advance gender equality. This year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” is a powerful reminder that when we invest in women through mentorship, opportunities, and support our communities, businesses, and economies all grow stronger

At Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), we witness this transformative impact every day through our work with immigrant women across the province.

Many immigrant women arrive in Nova Scotia with remarkable talent, professional experience, and innovative business ideas. They bring diverse perspectives and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. At the same time, establishing a career or starting and growing a business in a new country can present challenges, from navigating unfamiliar systems to building professional networks and accessing the right resources.

While many of our services support newcomers generally, these two programs focus directly on the unique challenges and bold ambitions of immigrant women.

The Immigrant Women Entrepreneurship Network (IWEN) and the Visible Minority Newcomer Women at Work (VMNW) programs support immigrant women pursuing both traditional employment pathways and self-employment trough entrepreneurship. With mentorship, training workshops, networking opportunities, and one-on-one guidance, these programs empower participants to gain the skills, confidence, and connections they need to succeed.

But what truly makes these programs special is the sense of community they foster. Participants learn not only from mentors and experts, but also from one another. They share experiences, celebrate milestones, and build relationships that often extend far beyond the program itself.

Programs like IWEN and VMNW reflect the spirit of “Give to Gain.” Mentors generously share their expertise, community partners contribute their time and resources, and participants bring determination, creativity, and ambition. Together, these contributions create meaningful opportunities that help women grow and succeed.

When these women succeed, they don’t just find jobs, they create them. They introduce fresh ideas, launch innovative services, and contribute to the cultural and economic heartbeat of our province. Their resilience isn’t just inspiring; it’s a competitive advantage for Nova Scotia.

This International Women’s Day, we celebrate the inspiring women participating in the IWEN and VMNW programs as well as the many immigrant women across the province who are pursuing their goals and building their futures.

Their courage and determination remind us that when we support women, we are investing in a more inclusive, innovative, and prosperous future for everyone.

Gentille Dusenge was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, but at just two years old her life changed dramatically when conflict forced her family and community to flee to neighboring Rwanda. Like many displaced families, they were resettled in refugee camps across different regions. Her family lived in a remote settlement where she spent most of her childhood and completed much of her early education. 

Growing up, she was taught that girls should be quiet, kind, and primarily responsible for household duties.  

“My upbringing emphasized that girls should be quiet, kind, and primarily responsible for household duties,” she shares. “While these expectations shaped my sense of responsibility and discipline, my lived experiences pushed me to grow beyond them”. 

Life in the refugee camp was one of her greatest challenges. There was little privacy, stability, or adequate infrastructure. Access to clean water, food, sanitation, firewood, and proper shelter was uncertain and required daily effort. Yet despite these hardships, Gentille developed adaptability, perseverance, and the ability to hold onto hope beyond immediate survival.  

“Knowing my children did not experience life in a refugee camp remains one of my greatest personal achievements.” she says. 

In 2012, Gentille received a government scholarship to attend a public university in Rwanda. However, her progress was interrupted.  

“One year later, I was required to provide documentation available only to national citizens, which refugees could not obtain,” she recalls. “As a result, I lost tuition support, housing, and meals.” 

Five years later, Gentille was admitted to the Kepler Program, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in healthcare management with Concentration in Global Perspective. During this period, she balanced marriage and pregnancy while serving as student association president, teaching ESL at a community library, and represented refugee students in Switzerland at the Global Refugee Forum.  

After arriving in Canada, Gentille enrolled her child in the HIPPY program in September 2024 to support her child’s early learning soon became a new chapter in her own journey, as she later became a HIPPY Home Visitor at ISANS. Reflecting on how far she has come, she says “I am proud of providing children with a stable life, one that was taken from me at a very young age,” she admires. “While I was born into a loving and financially stable family, that reality ended abruptly due to conflict and displacement.” 

African Heritage Month holds deep meaning for Gentille. It is a time of reflection, affirmation, and responsibility, a reminder that her life, voice, and dreams matter. It offers an opportunity to honor where she comes from, clarify where she is going, and commit to contributing positively to others.  

“I honor the legacy of those who came before me by recognizing their courage, vision, and commitment to future generations,” she shares. “Their belief that freedom, dignity, and equality are non-negotiable continues to guide her actions and aspirations.” 

Gentille encourages young Black professionals to believe in their potential and pursue their goals with persistence, while acknowledging that systemic barriers still exist. Progress, she believes, requires both individual effort and collective action. She urges them to challenge limiting narratives, advocate for opportunities, and lead with integrity. 

In October 2025, Gentille also published her book, A Congolese Refugee’s Quest for a Purpose and Better Life More to Life that a Refugee Camp, a memoir that traces her journey from childhood in Kiziba Refugee Camp to academic achievement and advocacy. The book challenges the structural barriers that silence displaced people and calls for refugees to be empowered as agents of change and to call leaders to lead towards sustainable peace and true patriotism so that we have refugees no more. On a personal level, she wrote it to preserve her community’s memories and ensure their story is told through their own lived experiences for future generations. 

Her book can be found here: https://livedplacespublishing.com/book/isbn/9781916985605 

When Zakiye first arrived in Canada, everyday tasks that many people take for granted felt intimidating. One of the biggest challenges was visiting the bank. She often needed help with questions about her account or bills, but talking to a bank employee felt overwhelming.

“Before this class, it was very difficult for me to go to the bank and ask questions,” she explained. “I felt worried and nervous because I did not know how to explain my problem in English.”

Like many newcomers, the language barrier created stress in moments when she needed clarity the most. Even simple conversations required a level of confidence she did not yet feel. This changed when she joined an English class through ISANS a supportive environment where she could learn, practice, and grow at her own pace.

In class, Zakiye learned new vocabulary and practical phrases that she could use in everyday conversations. She and her classmates practiced speaking, asking questions, and building the skills needed for real-life situations. “The speaking practice helped me the most,” she said. “I learned useful words, and now I feel more confident.”

That confidence was put to the test one day when she needed to visit the bank about a problem with her online phone bill. In the past, this situation might have caused her significant stress. But this time, she felt ready. Using the vocabulary and sentence structures she had learned, she approached the bank employee, explained her issue, and understood the reply clearly. She successfully solved the problem on her own.

This moment became a turning point. Before, she would leave the house feeling nervous and uncertain. After this experience, she felt proud, relieved, and empowered. It was the first time she fully recognized how much progress she had made and how capable she truly was. “After, I felt confident, proud, and happy because I solved my problem by myself,” she shared.

Today, Zakiye feels more independent in her daily life in Canada. She knows she can communicate her needs, ask questions, and advocate for herself. Tasks like visiting the bank no longer feel frightening they are simply part of life. As she put it, “Now I feel more independent because I can go to the bank and speak for myself without fear.”

Her journey is a reminder of the power of language and how the right support can help newcomers build confidence that lasts far beyond the classroom.

Ismael’s journey toward becoming a professional engineer in Canada began long before he arrived in Nova Scotia. While working in the mining industry in Africa, he collaborated closely with Canadian engineers, experiences that left a lasting impression and shaped his long‑term career goals.

“Working alongside Canadian colleagues showed me a different professional standard and approach to engineering,” Ismael says. “Over time, that interest grew into a clear ambition to build my career in Canada.”

With a young family, Ismael was looking not only for professional opportunities but also for a place where they could settle and feel supported. Nova Scotia stood out for its welcoming community and quality of life.

“Coming to Nova Scotia felt like the right decision for my family,” he explains. “The warmth of the community played a huge role in our decision to settle in Halifax.”

Ismael connected with ISANS during the immigration process. Later, as he began working toward professional licensure with Engineers Nova Scotia, he learned about the ISANS Engineering Bridging Program. At first, the registration process felt overwhelming.

“The requirements can be difficult to understand when you are new to the system,” he says. “I actually tried to register on my own without going through the Engineering Bridging Program, and I lost almost a year.”

Realizing he needed structured guidance, Ismael enrolled in the ISANS Engineering Bridging Program. That decision proved to be a turning point.

“Without the training I received through ISANS, registering as a professional engineer would not have been possible,” Ismael says. “The program helped me understand the registration process, the expectations, and how to approach the writing requirements with confidence.”

The program also created valuable employment connections. Through job opportunities organized by the ISANS support team, Ismael was introduced to employers and eventually secured his current position.

“ISANS did not just support me with licensure,” he says. “They connected me with job opportunities at a critical time, which helped me work in my field and provide stability for my family as we settled in Canada.”

Today, Ismael works in a role that requires both technical expertise and strong collaboration skills. Drawing on years of experience working with culturally diverse and multidisciplinary teams, he integrated seamlessly into his workplace.

“My role goes beyond engineering knowledge,” he explains. “My people skills and experience managing cross‑functional teams have been just as important in working effectively with colleagues, contractors, and municipal partners.”

Completing his P.Eng (Professional Engineer) registration while securing significant employment has had a profound impact on both his professional and personal life.

“Becoming a professional engineer has been a goal of mine for many years,” Ismael says. “ISANS made it possible for me to achieve that goal while continuing to grow and contribute to my field.”

Ismael’s story reflects what is possible when internationally trained professionals receive timely, newcomer‑focused support. Through ISANS, he not only achieved professional recognition but also found a sense of belonging and purpose.

Today, Ismael contributes his skills, leadership, and experience to Nova Scotia’s engineering workforce, demonstrating how supporting newcomers to belong and grow strengthens communities and builds a more resilient future for all.

Ahmad’s story is one of seeking equality, existence, and acceptance in a world that often asks people who are different to disappear or to pretend. It is the story of leaving behind a homeland rich in culture and tradition, yet bound by expectations of how one must act, love, and exist to be assigned a “correct” identity. For Ahmad, that identity never felt true.

Back home, survival meant shaping yourself into one acceptable version of a person. Individuality was a risk. Difference was dangerous. Yet the ache of family never disappears.

“Every time I go home, I have to talk to my family because I miss their voice. I miss their presence,” Ahmad shares. “This is the loneliest time of my life, but still, I have them as a family.”

His mother’s love remains both his deepest wound and his greatest comfort. Ahmad carries that pain silently, knowing that expressing it would hurt her even more. At this point in his life, he cannot return home but the longing never leaves.

“It’s like losing an organ and knowing it exists somewhere you can never reach,” he says.

After arriving in Canada two years back, Ahmad sought support through ISANS and joined the Immigrant Youth Employability Project (IYEP), which helps newcomer youth make informed career decisions, gain work experience, and prepare for post-secondary education. More than support, Canada offered Ahmad safety when he needed it most.

Despite culture shock, emotional upheaval, and moments of deep loneliness, Ahmad learned to love life again in Canada. “Ahmad is truly a valuable part of our program. His resilience and positive attitude bring so much to our classroom,” says Michelle Dvorkin, Facilitator IYCEP. “Despite having been through a great deal, and continuing to navigate different challenges, he consistently shows up for others. He offers support and understanding because he knows firsthand how isolating and difficult this journey can be. His kindness, empathy, and willingness to connect with others in a very genuine way make him an important presence in the program.”

He built a new family in Canada, one that loves him exactly as he is. He learned that acceptance cannot be forced, and that changing minds takes time. Instead, he chose a different kind of strength: self-acceptance.

“God created everybody equally. God made me like this for a reason”, he mentions. “I don’t see any issue with that, but you cannot change people’s minds. Every breath is a gift from heaven. This is how life was meant to be. Humans were brought to Earth to live and love”,

Though this truth does not align with everyone’s beliefs, Ahmad accepts himself because he knows who he is. He understands the culture he came from and does not blame it.

“They had to become anything just to survive. My people are thirsty for freedom. They are kind, brave, hospitable, and strong”, he mentions. “Their culture and traditions are outstanding.”

In Canada, Ahmad discovered parts of himself he once believed didn’t exist. For the first time, he felt heard, included, and at peace. Strangers showed him a kind of love he had missed for so long, and he returned it multiplied.

“I love Canada, I blend in so well now. I don’t feel unheard. I don’t feel left out,” he shares. “I am just part of them. And I realized this is where I was supposed to be.”

This chapter of Ahmad’s life may be the loneliest, but it is also the most peaceful. His journey is one of resilience, survival, and ultimately freedom. It is proof that finding safety can feel like being reborn.

Peace.

Freedom.

A better world.

Ahmad — a survivor.

Olive Ozoemena’s story begins in Nigeria, where curiosity, creativity, and a quiet determination took root early in her life. She grew up in a culture where leadership within families traditionally fell to men. Yet her earliest role models defied that expectation. Olive never met her grandfather; instead, it was her grandmother who became the family’s anchor—leading with resilience, courage, and a steady, unspoken strength.

“There were early experiences that profoundly shaped my sense of purpose and direction,” Olive recalls. “Watching my grandmother and my mother step into the role of head of the household at a young age was one of the most formative influences in my life.”

These women taught her that leadership is not loud—it is lived. And that resilience, at its best, is gentle, steady, and deeply rooted in love.

Olive’s professional path was not linear, but it was always intentional. She studied Theatre Arts, began her career as a junior bank officer in Lagos, and later moved to North America to pursue master’s degrees in human resource development and business administration. With each step, she carried a growing desire for her work to create real, lasting impact.

Losing her father at a young age marked one of the first major turning points of her life. As the eldest child, she felt the weight of responsibility—an early introduction to leadership and sacrifice. She chose a shorter degree program to start earning sooner, a choice that taught her adaptability long before she had the language for it.

Her journey to Canada added new layers to her story. Building a life far from home, without the comfort of extended family and the collective support that defined her upbringing, was both a challenge and a revelation. She found herself navigating systems not always designed with her in mind—as a Black immigrant woman, she learned to advocate for herself in unfamiliar spaces.

“I come from a country where everyone is Black, so moving to North America and learning about Black stories from a different vantage point humbled me,” she shares.

Even thousands of miles from home, Olive carried with her the teachings of Igbo culture: that strength is communal, that agency and interdependence can coexist, and that communities thrive when everyone is seen, heard, and supported.

She intentionally built circles of support—especially among women who understood the complexities of carving out belonging in a new country.

“Growing up within Igbo culture taught me the power of collective support alongside individual agency,” she notes. “I often reflect on how deeply democratic Igbo traditions are—how communities rally around one another while still respecting autonomy, self‑determination, and entrepreneurial spirit.”

Today, as ISANS’ Director of Programs: Language and Labour Market, Olive leads with a simple but transformative belief: talent is universal, but opportunity is not.

For her, impact is measured not just in numbers but in lives—whether barriers are dismantled, whether pathways open, whether individuals feel empowered to belong, contribute, and thrive.

Her time in Nova Scotia has deepened her appreciation for the long, rich history of Black communities in the province. African Heritage Month, for her, is both celebration and responsibility.

“I know I stand on land shaped by generations of Black leadership whose struggles made my presence, growth, and integration here possible,” she says. “Honouring their legacy means learning about it, respecting it, and ensuring that my leadership strengthens the communities that have been here for generations.”

To young Black leaders and professionals—those who are still discovering their voices, or learning to trust their own stories—her message is both grounding and liberating:

“Know who you are before the world tells you who you should be. Your history, culture, and experiences are not deficits—they are your greatest sources of strength and insight. Learn the system, but do not lose yourself in it.”

Through every chapter of her life, one guiding phrase—passed down from her mother—has accompanied her, steadying her steps and sharpening her vision:

“Forward ever, backward never.”

It is more than a motto.
It is the story she lives, the story she leads with, and the story she continues to write—one rooted in resilience, kindness, courage, and an unwavering belief in what is possible.

Your insights don’t just inform our work they help us evolve alongside the communities we serve.

During the announcement, ISANS CEO Paula Knight expressed sincere appreciation for the partnership and the impact it will have across the organization’s programs and services.

“On behalf of ISANS, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to TD for this generous contribution to our work,” she shared. “Your support helps break down barriers for newcomers and ensures individuals and families arriving in Nova Scotia have the opportunity to truly belong and grow.”

The $100,000 contribution will directly enhance a range of essential ISANS programs, including youth and family services, refugee youth support, employment and job placement programs, specialized settlement and financial literacy workshops, mental health resources, and refugee emergency funds. These services play a vital role in helping newcomers navigate their first months and years in Nova Scotia, access the supports they need, and build pathways to long‑term success.

This support also strengthens ISANS’ ability to respond to the evolving needs of newcomers, particularly those arriving as refugees or through humanitarian pathways. With increasing demand for settlement and employment services across the province, the contribution ensures that ISANS can continue offering trusted guidance, culturally responsive programming, and opportunities that help newcomers contribute fully to the social and economic fabric of Nova Scotia.

This contribution highlights the power of strong partnerships in shaping a welcoming province one where newcomers are supported, valued, and able to build their futures with confidence.