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Dr. Lotenna Kalu is spending her first Christmas in Canada as a Canadian citizen. Kevin Kyle/CHAT News
IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat doctor from Africa spends first Christmas in Canada with citizenship

Dec 24, 2024 | 1:06 PM

A Medicine Hat doctor is spending her first Christmas in the city as a Canadian citizen.

Doctor Lotenna Kalu, a pediatrician, moved to the city in August.

She has lived in Canada for about four years now, spending time in both Edmonton and Calgary, gaining her citizenship earlier this year.

Born in Nigeria but having also lived in Ghana, she has noticed a few differences and similarities with Christmas in Africa and Canada.

Kalu said she starts getting excited about Canadian Christmas in January of each year already, enjoying the decoration aspect.

“Way more decoration here. That’s actually one thing I love about Christmas here,” Kalu said.

“I like to decorate, as you can see, and I just like the fact that here, you have so many options of how to decorate and make the place look, really pretty and magical.”

Kalu said that she think Christmas is pretty similar in most places, in the sense that it’s kind of a time for family and people coming together, which is also a popular tradition in Nigeria and a little less so in Ghana.

“But I would say, Christmas here is really pretty. Like the snow, and the lights, and everything,” Kalu said.

“It just brings a setting, magical ambience to the whole thing.”

Kalu said that in Canada everyone has the understanding that it’s time to be nice and kind to everyone.

She adds that in Africa it’s more about the religious holiday of Christmas, than Santa Claus.

“It is kind of there, but it’s not as big,” Kalu said.

“Some kids know that, there’s something called Santa, but it’s not, as strong of a presence as it is here. That’s one thing I noticed as well.”

Kalu hasn’t went back to Africa for Christmas since she moved to Canada, but would love to be able to show her family overseas what a Canadian Christmas is like.