Four-year-old Carlos Caicedo loves Christmas, Canada and Spider-Man.
Carlos was born in Victoria to parents who came here from Bogot脙隆, Colombia, four years ago with next to nothing, knowing barely a word of English.
Now they have it all -- and they credit God and generous Victorians for their success.
"I want to stay in Canada," Carlos said.
For his parents, this is the land of abundant generosity -- and they feel it especially at this time of year when they are reminded of the help they received on their first Christmas in Victoria.
Daniel, 40, and Beatriz, 33, decided to move to Canada before they had Carlos, since they felt Colombia was too dangerous to raise a child. When they arrived in 2005, two local churches helped them find shelter.
While Daniel had been an award-winning graphic designer for two major newspapers -- El Espectador and El Pais -- and Beatriz was an accountant, they had a tough time finding work because they didn't speak English.
"We had no parents, no friends, no English, no food, no nothing," Daniel said. "We pray and we cry and say [to God] help us we are alone here and feel like orphans."
As their first Christmas in Victoria approached, they realized they had just two presents for their son -- a toy from one grandma and a sleeper from the other -- both of which they had stuffed into their suitcases upon leaving Colombia.
The Caicedos asked for help from St. Vincent de Paul, which provides emergency assistance, mainly food and clothes, to more than 2,000 people a month. The agency, a member of the Greater Victoria Christmas Bureau along with several other organizations including the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund, made sure they had food, blankets and presents for Carlos.
"It was our first Christmas in Canada and we were amazed how people here share lots," Beatriz said. "We don't have that in Colombia."
The generosity of St. Vincent de Paul, and other agencies the Caicedos turned to for help that first Christmas, set the tone for their changing fortunes.
Daniel was offered a job in construction, and seized it. Unwilling to settle, he studied concrete finishing, learning from experts and creating his own styles. Two years later, he started his own business, Amazing Grace Contractor Corp., specializing in concrete repairs, levelling, grinding, chipping, patching and sacking. Today, he has 10 employees.
As for Carlos, he now also believes anything is possible in Canada. He won't be content with just presents this Christmas. "I want Santa Claus to come to my house ... and to stay for two minutes."
HOW TO DONATE
The Times 91原创 Christmas Fund is a member agency of the Greater Victoria Christmas Bureau. The bureau gathers names of the needy at Christmas, then distributes lists of names to member agencies, which raise money and distribute food and presents.
The Times 91原创 Christmas Fund is accepting donations for this year.
- Mail a cheque to the Times 91原创 Christmas Fund, 2621 Douglas St., Victoria, B.C. V8T 4M2.
- Use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438.
- Donate online through our partnership with the Queen Alexandra Foundation at www.queenalexandra.org
- The Christmas Bureau can be reached at 250-388-5704.
