‘Parentemonials’: Catherine

When Catherine’s family arrives in Canada from Colombia, everything feels different. A new language, new systems, new routines ... everything. But there is one place her son Johan instantly feels at home, and that is our Free to Play after school program. 🙌🏽

“He feel tired when he ran five minutes … but now!” Catherine laughs explaining how he always wants to play soccer now.

Johan brings home what he learns from others in school “… he teach my family. We need to learn about the exercise, about the feelings, about the cultures … everything.”

Free to Play isn’t just an after-school program. It’s confidence, community, and connection building for Johan and for his whole family.

Thanks to the City of Edmonton⁩ for endless support in all of our programming! 🎉

Catherine’s Parentemonial Transcript

For example, when he has vacations or doesn’t have school, he wants to go to Free Play — but he can't.
He wants to play soccer every day.

Hi, my name is Catherine Buitrago.
I’m from Colombia.
My family and I, we are very happy in Canada.
We are happy at Free Play with my son.

Johan used to feel tired when he ran for just five minutes — then he would rest, breathing.
He felt tired all the time.
But now, physically, he is much better.

The first year was a little bit difficult because everything is so different.
This program is not just for Johan — it’s good for my whole family.
We need to learn about exercise, about feelings, about cultures… about everything.

I like that Johan learns about other cultures because he is very respectful of differences — like religions, foods, and clothing.
He teaches my family.
Yeah, he teaches us the different things about this program.

Thank you so much.

Our ✨ Parentemonials 💫 series will focus on sharing stories from families that benefit from Free Play For Kids!