Dear Editor:
Growing up in Summerland, I worked every summer in cherry orchards — picking, sorting, and packing cherries into boxes.
One of the coolest aspects of this job was getting to work alongside migrant workers. I remember meeting people from all over the world: Quebec, Egypt, Finland, Israel, Germany, Vietnam, and Australia, to name a few places that stick out in my mind.
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Growing up in our small town, it was so interesting to hear these workers’ stories about actual adventures they had had.
Inspired by their stories, I have always taken comfort in the idea that if my settled life were to go awry, I could always take up pineapple picking and lead an interesting nomadic life. If my time spent with migrant workers has taught me anything, it is this: money is necessary to live, but the best things in life are free.
What’s my point? Not only do migrant workers provide essential labour for our farming community, but they also contribute to making this town a great place to live and grow up.
Cities along the Silk Road developed into great centres of culture because they were places people migrated into and through, bringing new ideas and perspectives from faraway places.
I believe that Summerland is a great place to live in part because every summer, we welcome migrant workers into our community to live and work alongside us.
This summer, let’s do what Summerlanders are known for and make them feel welcome.
Katie Sardinha
Summerland
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