He got two chances to travel to Canada on a farm work program and on the second occasion decided to run off and become an illegal immigrant. That’s what user Sampaloo did some ten years ago.
But unlike some illegal immigrants that undertake illicit activities while “hiding out”, Sampaloo developed a passionate interest in music and used his natural talents to become a Dancehall DJ.
Here is Sampaloo’s story:
My name is Deniston Mulling aka Sampaloo, born in Kingston Jamaica 22/10/1967.
I came to Canada on a Farm Aid Program for the first time in 1993. The second time was in 1994. The crop was damaged real bad, because of an ice storm. At the end of the crop the owner told me that he was not taking back any more workers. I was about 26.
I thought about it and decided to take the biggest risk of my life. I ran off. I had no family in Canada, just a friend that lived in Montreal. 5 hours driving.
Oh I have to tell you this, the first two weeks on the farm I got one of the saddest news of my life. My mother passed away (died). They buried her, but no one contacted me as they said they did not want me to leave the farm work and come home. Crazy people……….ah. Anyways back to my story.
The hardships I faced while in Canada. I was an illegal immigrant living in Montreal, Quebec which is the French part of Canada. Not speaking French to get a job under-the-table was one of the hardest things. I lived in a black neighborhood where there was black on black crime. I missed home (Jamaica), friends, plus Canada is very cold.
I applied to immigration in 1996 and not until 9-11 they replied. Whenever I called them they said the application is in progress. Anyways I found this nice Jamaican woman, we got married, had two sons with her and now I’m a landed immigrant.
The video “ Landed” is the story of my life.
My immigration video is not like word for word my life story, but we try to make it more like a celebration. Got my community involved, people who are going through what I have been through, they all came out and support me.
My Director, her name is Maryam Rahimi. She is from the Middle East and the first time she see me perform she said, “this is my guy”. The video shoot took 18 fun hours. We had over 300 people come out.”
Link Sampaloo and comment on his trials.
