Edrissa Gassama
I’m More Than The Immigrant You Had In Mind is a powerful project that highlights the diverse and multifaceted identities of immigrants in Canada. The project aims to challenge the stereotypes often associated with newcomers, offering a richer and more nuanced view of their lives, passions, and contributions. Join us as we share the personal stories of immigrants from all walks of life, shedding light on their hopes, dreams, and pursuit of belonging in their new home.
My name is Edrissa Gassama from Gambia, precisely West Africa… Call it the Gambia, the smiling coast of Africa. That’s where I came from. I am a Mandinka, my tribe, the largest tribe in that country.
Name: Edrissa Gassama
Originally From: Gambia
Photographs by Nathan Smith
In this candid and heartfelt interview, Edrissa Gassama, originally from the Gambia in West Africa, shares his remarkable journey of adjusting to life in Canada. Edrissa opens up about the dramatic contrast between the warm climate of the Gambia and the freezing cold of Calgary, where he first arrived in January 2016. The cultural and climate shock was overwhelming, with his first night in Canada leaving him feeling like he was being “frozen to death.” But despite the early hardships, including a difficult first encounter with his wife, Edrissa’s story is one of resilience and hope.
From his roots in the Mandinka tribe in the Gambia to his eventual move to Duncan, British Columbia, Edrissa talks about the support he found from a friend of his mother’s family, which marked the beginning of his journey toward settling in Canada. His narrative highlights the importance of community, friendship, and the power of overcoming the challenges of immigration, culture shock, and personal growth.
Tune in to hear about Edrissa’s transition from the warm, vibrant Gambia to the Canadian cold, and his ongoing journey of finding home and belonging in a new country. His story is a testament to perseverance, the importance of support systems, and the incredible resilience of the immigrant experience.
This project is produced and presented to you by the Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria and powered by the Department of Canadian Heritage.
