13 minute read
WE ARE CANADA
Meet Jen Dimatatac
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FILIPINO NURSE BRINGS “JUST LIKE FAMILY” FEELING TO HOME CARE IN BURNABY WE ARE CANADA … Burnaby: City of Immigrants
By Gary Wilson
Almost all of us are immigrants or descendants of immigrants. Other than our indigenous neighbours, we came from some other place in the world. But now here we all are, some of us recently arrived and others, several generations ago. And as we live in this community, it’s essential that we have a sense of being neighbours and even friends with one another. To get there, it’s important to hear each other’s stories. That’s the intent of “We are Canada.” In this issue, we meet one of our neighbours … in hopes of becoming friends.
One of the qualities of many immigrants to Canada that is frequently misunderstood by many Canadians is the closeness of the immigrant family unit. Many immigrants come from cultures where a multi-generational family lives together or in close proximity, finding support from grandparents and experiencing a physical closeness among several generations.
While this seems unusual to many of us who are just second or third generation Canadians, it’s something that clearly has multiple benefits and is a welcome contrast to the generational isolation that many families experience. While families in Canada often find themselves separated by hundreds or thousands of miles, so many immigrant families have the benefit of children spending time with and learning from grandparents. Working parents also gain the advantage of having their parents right there to care for their children and provide needed support. Of course, there are many immigrants who move to Canada and leave their extended families behind, along with that close physical and supportive bond. Such was the case for Jienelyn “Jen” Dimatatac, who came to Canada in 2009. With her husband already moved here ahead of her in 2008, and his family already established here even earlier, there certainly was family and support for Jen in her new home. But her own family that she had been so close with growing up, were all back in the Philippines.
Jen was born and raised in Bauan, in the province of Batangas, about 100 km south of the capital city of Manila. Hers was a fairly typical family that was not wealthy, but hard-working and close knit. It was very common for extended family and even neighbours to be together around the home whenever school or work did not demand otherwise. While not rich, the family enjoyed a wealth of mutual support, caring and close bonds.
After graduating from high school, Jen was able to enroll at Far Eastern University in Manila. With the support and encouragement of her aunts who were living in the U.S., Jen was able to study nursing, and graduated with a B.S. in Nursing degree in 2006. She then worked in various nursing positions, including as an operating room nurse and a clinical instructor. The latter experience motivated her to pursue a Master’s Degree in Nursing, which she received from Golden Gate College in 2009.
That year proved to be fairly life-changing for Jen as she was married in January, and then later, in August, she moved to Canada. It proved to be somewhat difficult, as the move left her quite homesick. While enjoying the safer, more secure Canadian culture, Jen missed the sense of community and family that she had known back in the Philippines. The isolation became particularly
acute when she gave birth to her children in the years that followed.
Nevertheless, Jen adjusted to the Canadian lifestyle and over the next several years, became involved in home health care. Upon discovering that her nursing degree from the Philippines did not qualify her to become a Registered Nurse here in Canada, she enhanced her schooling at Kwantlen University and became an RN in 2014. She then worked as a parttime operating nurse while continuing in home care support. In 2018, after becoming very familiar with home health care work, and enjoying the help and support that she could bring to so many clients, Jen decided to launch her own business in that field. With the warm sense of family that she had grown up with, it was quite appropriate that she became connected with Just Like Family Home Care. In fact, Jen became their first franchise owner right here in Burnaby and New Westminster, as this home healthcare business began to expand!
Since then, Jen has seen significant demand for her services, as she has expanded her reach into the Tri-Cities, Pitt Meadows and Maple Ridge! This has allowed her to bring employment to many other home care workers. Most of the work involves supporting seniors who want to stay in their own homes, but there are many others her team works with who are disabled or recovering from injuries, as well as some seniors who live in care facilities but need additional support. Many family members are amazed at how her team members are even able to care for their parents suffering from dementia! Not surprisingly, this warm, compassionate woman has received many compliments from the family members of the disabled people and seniors she serves. It’s perhaps because Jen Dimatatac has a unique understanding of family and what it’s like to feel isolated from her family. But perhaps it’s more so because, to Jen and her team, the people they care for are treated “Just Like Family”!
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WED NOV 11 Pottery Handbuilding 6:30 PM – 8 PM Muckabout Gift Gallery 4759 Hastings St You will be introduced to the dynamics of clay through pinch, slab and coil methods of working with clay. The content of these classes evolves with the creativity and individualism of our continuing skill development. Make things like mugs, plant pots, sushi sets, and so much more. Cost: $135. 5 sessions. For produced by bees and
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THUR NOV 12 Paint a Chair: Artisan Painting 101 6:30 PM – 9 PM Muckabout Gift Gallery 4759 Hastings St Paint a chair to take home with you. Learn more about cleaning, prepping and sealing your projects, and be introduced to waxes, clear coat and other FAT paint and Fusion Mineral Paint products. Also learn about
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THUR NOV 12 The Covid Chronicles 8 PM Shadbolt Studio Theatre 6450 Deer Lake Ave Covid Chronicles is a bracelet. You can also add a
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FRI NOV 13 – SUN NOV 15 20th Annual Craft Fair Fri & Sat: 10 AM – 5 PM Sun: 10 AM – 4 PM Nikkei National Museum 6688 Southoaks Crescent This 20th annual event features Japanese and Christmas themed items from local artists, bakers and artisans. Great for all your holiday shopping! Event continues every weekend through Dec 13 with 10-12 vendors featured each weekend to allow for social distancing. For more info and vendor listings visit nikkeiplace.org or call 604-777-7000.
SAT NOV 14 Mala Bead Necklace Making 10 AM – 1 PM Muckabout Gift Gallery 4759 Hastings St Learn about the history and significance of the mala and 108 beads and the significance and powers of each semi-precious stone. Choose from a variety of semi-precious stone beads and add a lava bead or two to scent with your favorite essential oil. Cost: $120. Also available Dec 5. For Whether you plan to have a
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SAT NOV 14 Candle Making with Bees Wax 3 PM – 5 PM Muckabout Gift Gallery 4759 Hastings St This hands-on class is for those who want to learn how to make candles using the most natural & safest wax. Beeswax is highly prized as a long-lasting, clean-burning wax. It is 100% natural, requires next-to-no processing. Cost: $75. Other class dates and times available. For more info and to register visit: muckabout.ca.
WED NOV 18 Stretchy Bracelet Making 4:40 PM – 7:30 PM Muckabout Gift Gallery 4759 Hastings St Make a customized bracelets just for you! Choose from a variety of stone beads to create your lava bead or two to scent with your favorite essential oil. Cost: $125. Other class dates available. For more info and to register visit: muckabout.ca.
THUR NOV 19 Petunia & The Vipers 8 PM Shadbolt Studio Theatre 6450 Deer Lake Ave Roots based modern rocking and ballade ring music. 30’s, 40’s 50’s, jazz, jug band, punk rock, Americana and much more. Pre-show performance starting at 7:30 pm. Limited seating is available. Live tickets: $20. Online streaming tickets: $10. For info call 604-297-4440.
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SAT NOV 21 St Stephen Vintage Sale 10 AM – 2 PM St Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church 9887 Cameron St Christmas decorations and gifts galore. Social distancing protocols are in place and masks are required. For info call 604-421-0472 or visit ststephenburnaby.ca.
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FRI DEC 4 Beekeeping: Absolute Beginners 10 AM – 2 PM BC Bee Supply 4759 Hastings St This workshop is intended for anyone interested in keeping bees, or who has already started keeping bees but would like to review the basics and learn some new techniques. Whether you plan to have a single colony or multiple beehives, this puts you on group led by legendary
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SAT DEC 5 Annual Christmas Market 10 AM – 3 PM St Stephen the Martyr Anglican Church 9887 Cameron St We have handmade items, gift baskets, gift items, jewellery, main raffle and door prizes. The market will take place indoors and out and Social distancing protocols are in place and
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FRI DEC 18 Mason Bees & Native Pollinators 1 PM – 3 PM BC Bee Supply 4759 Hastings St In this class you will learn the care of the mason bee during its life cycle. Following some simple guidelines, you will be able to start, grow, and maintain a mason bee population for pollinating your own garden and landscape. Cost: $25. Super Class Bundle: $150 (products and bees included for one hive). For info and to register visit: bcbeesupply.ca.
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