SANCTUARY Story by Lisa Kozleski | Photos by Rob Olson
“IN OUR POSITION IT WAS DIFFICULT. WE HAD A LIFE IN COLOMBIA, BUT WE NEEDED TO CHOOSE. WE NEEDED TO GO, OR WE STAY IN COLOMBIA AND WAIT FOR DEATH.”
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MAUREN GAITÁN PÉREZ
n the early days of January 2022, Alejandra Jiménez Pérez, Johana Sabogal González and Mauren Gaitán Pérez faced an impossibly simple choice. They had spent years in their home country of Colombia organizing meetings, protests and workshops supporting the LGBTQ+ communities and causes. But now that work had provoked credible death threats from the “Black Eagles,” a paramilitary group that was known for targeting social leaders. Although the three young women shared the pamphlets containing death threats with local authorities, and then followed up with their ongoing concerns, nothing was done. “My brother had been killed by the Black Eagles for his work,” says Gaitán. “In our position it was difficult. We had a life in Colombia, but we needed to choose. We needed to go, or we stay in Colombia and wait for death.” So they left. The journey they faced was risky – at one point they were literally lost in a desert – but with a cousin waiting in Lethbridge, the three eventually made their way to Canada. They arrived on Feb. 6, 2022. It was snowing. And although it took a few seasons to really feel it, it was a place that would soon feel like home. Today, the three students are completing English as a Second Language (ESL) courses at Lethbridge College’s English Language Centre and making plans for continued education and careers in Canada. During their time at the college, they have been cheered on and supported by people like Karen Smith, the centre’s manager, as well as their instructors and fellow classmates.
“The journey of each of our students is so unique,” says Smith. “As I listen to the narratives of our students, particularly those from conflict-torn regions, I’m reminded of the immense fortitude within the human spirit. Their journeys, marked by trials unimaginable to many, stand as a testament to the enduring quest for personal and political freedom. Their resilience, their sheer determination in the face of hardship, transforms them into unsung heroes of our time.
“And in the stories of these three strong young women, I find not just a reflection of their experiences, but also a mirror to my own journey,” says Smith, explaining that as a lesbian who came out in the 1990s, she faced discrimination and threats. “I am grateful for the privilege of calling Canada home, a sanctuary of safety and respect. Yet, with each tale shared, I am reminded of the weight of responsibility, the choice to bear witness to their struggles, and to honour their courage by amplifying their voices. In their stories lies the collective narrative of humanity’s triumph over adversity, and it is a privilege to stand alongside them, learning, advocating and celebrating their strength of spirit.” 17