Digna Cendeno, a resilient 25-year-old mother of two, embodies both strength and adaptability. Five years ago, she made the journey from Venezuela to Icacos, Trinidad, seeking refuge and a fresh start. Once a university student with dreams of a finance career, she has since built a life centered around her family and resilience, navigating the complexities of refugee life, motherhood, and cultural adaptation. Now proficient in conversational English, Digna has gradually adapted to life in Trinidad with the support of her husband who is a local fisherman, and her mother-in-law, while reflecting on the dreams she once held and the new life she continues to build.
Looking back on her move, she describes the transition as challenging, especially moving from student life to being a single mother in a new country without immediate access to work or further studies. When she left Venezuela accompanied by her brother and sister, she was three months pregnant, leaving her child’s father and the relationship behind. Adapting to motherhood in Trinidad came with obstacles; for instance, she found it difficult to afford medication for her son when he was sick, relying on her sister's help in those moments.
Now, Cendeno focuses on raising her children and maintaining a family life. Her recent pregnancy was complicated, as her daughter was born with sickle cell anemia. She expressed gratitude for Trinidad’s healthcare services, supported by the UNFPA's EQUAL SRHR Initiative and funded by Global Affairs Canada to improve access to reproductive health and support services for vulnerable women, including refugees. Digna shareds, “Yes, I get help, I go to the health center for all my appointments.” Through collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Midwives (TTAM), this initiative has expanded maternal health support in areas like Cedros and Icacos, ensuring that refugee women like Digna can access the healthcare needed for safe pregnancies and healthy outcomes.
Digna’s journey highlights the critical role of support networks and accessible services in helping refugees and mothers build secure lives for their families. With access to health services, Digna was able to safely manage her pregnancy despite the discovery of her daughter’s sickle cell trait. This level of care and support is essential for refugee mothers, who often lack the financial stability and social safety net that native residents may have. UNFPA’s commitment to creating pathways for women’s empowerment and reproductive health aligns closely with the needs of communities like Cedros and Icacos.
By supporting healthcare initiatives such as TTAM’S Cedros/Icacos Outreach, UNFPA aims to highlight services that address the unique needs of refugee women and mothers who, like Digna, face numerous challenges when displaced from their home countries.
Programmes like these are essential for families like Digna’s, addressing immediate health needs and helping build a stable foundation for mothers and children adjusting to new lives in Trinidad. Digna’s story underscores the value of accessible healthcare services for refugees, as they help women manage motherhood, cultural adaptation, and health challenges, ultimately fostering resilience and hope for the future.
Leaving Everything Behind: A Venezuelan Refugee’s Path to New Beginnings
Digna Cendeno, a 25-year-old Venezuelan refugee, exemplifies resilience and adaptability. Five years ago, she left her home country, pregnant and accompanied by her siblings, to start anew in Icacos, Trinidad. Transitioning from university student to single mother in a foreign land was fraught with challenges, including limited access to work and healthcare. Despite the obstacles, Digna reflects on her journey with gratitude, sharing, “Yes, I get help, I go to the health center for all my appointments.” With support from UNFPA’s EQUAL SRHR Initiative, funded by Global Affairs Canada, and partnerships with organizations like the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Midwives, Digna has been able to access vital maternal healthcare, enabling her to navigate a complicated pregnancy and care for her daughter born with sickle cell anemia.
Digna’s story underscores the importance of accessible healthcare and robust support networks for refugee families. Programs like UNFPA’s Cedros/Icacos Outreach provide critical services that empower refugee women to manage health challenges while building stable lives in Trinidad. As a mother, Digna continues to focus on raising her children and creating a secure family environment, embodying the strength and perseverance necessary to overcome the hardships of displacement. Her journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of community-driven initiatives and the essential role they play in fostering resilience and hope for displaced families.
