Meet The Wren’s new reporter, Macarena Mantilla

I was born in a big city surrounded by mountains and sleeping volcanoes. The big city is the capital of a small country in Latin America, Ecuador. Not relevant to many people even though it is in the middle of the world, but Quito was everything I knew for the longest time. 

Journalism is in my blood. My great-grandparents on my dad’s side founded one of the first newspapers in Ecuador. El Comercio later became one of the most important newspapers in the country and Latin America. 

None of my family members on my dad’s side were interested in pursuing journalism. When it came to choosing a major, I considered many options and almost went into psychology. I did a long aptitude test in my senior year to help me in choosing my career. The results indicated I was well-suited for journalism or music. Above all I love writing, whether it songs, poems or essays. It has become a tool to reflect on experiences but also to express emotions. Writing has become essential to my life.

I did not want to study in Ecuador since I always had this feeling of not really belonging there. I love Ecuador, the landscapes, the food (especially the fruits and vegetables) and my family. It will always be my home. The truth is 90 per cent of the population is Catholic, and religion is part of the ideals of most people. It was hard to thrive and be part of a culture that you feel disconnected from.

Ecuador also has been known for having corrupt governments and it can be very frustrating, especially when journalists have had to flee the country after reporting on things the government did not agree with. 

I grew up seeing the risks of being a journalist, especially in the government of former president Rafael Correa where several journalists were exiled or suddenly died. For me it was always clear that I needed to leave in order to do the type of work I am passionate about. 

After researching many countries, I chose Canada to do my undergraduate degree. The lockdown and COVID delayed my trip and I started studying at Thompson Rivers University (TRU) online in 2020. In 2022, I had to travel to Canada. 

So many people have asked me if it was hard leaving. Yes it was. It was not only a mix of fear but also I wondered if things would go well. It was like jumping from a plane alone without knowing if the parachute would open.

I can take myself back to that day at the airport. Waiting to board the first plane, I suddenly had the thought of calling my mom and canceling everything. But a part of me knew I had to take that plane. Once I arrived in Vancouver with my luggage, it felt real. I had no idea what I was going to do. Once I arrived in Kamloops, I told myself I was on vacation. I have been on that vacation for the past two years.

Canada has become my home now. Although Ecuador is the home that raised me and saw me grow, Canada is the home I made on my own. This country has offered me countless opportunities and the chance to grow. 

I currently reside in T’kemlúps (Kamloops) and I am finishing my degree at TRU. I am passionate about social issues and I enjoy connecting with the community. I have had the opportunity to write for The Wren as a freelance journalist before and talk with various groups in the community. I completed an internship at CBC Radio Kamloops which pushed me to learn different skills and put myself out there. 

As a journalist it has always been clear to me that it is my job to amplify the voices and the stories of those people who do not have the platform to do so. I believe in the importance of empathy, having an open mind and sharing multiple perspectives in a story. I am eager and excited to do that for The Wren.