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Estonian Foundation in Canada scholarship fellow Heili Poolsaar


Heili Poolsaar
 is an Estonian-Canadian university student who received a 2020 EFC Scholarship with funding from the new Martin & Heljo Mäeks Fund. After a childhood in the Toronto Estonian community including Estonian School, Girl Guides, attending Jõekääru and Kotkajärve, Heili feels very connected to her heritage. She is currently studying at Queen’s University, pursuing a B.Sc. in Life Sciences.

On being Estonian
Being Estonian means having a community of people with whom you can share the special connection of having the same culture with. I am proud to be Estonian and to be a part of a community that still celebrates our culture so far away from our little country.

Being Estonian means being proud to be a part of our culture, language and country. It means carrying on traditions and speaking the language and supporting other Estonians. Even though Eesti is a small country, its impact is larger on myself, the community and the world than words can ever describe.

On EFC
The EFC is important to the community because it is one of the reasons our community can continue, as it provides valuable resources to do so. The amazing initiatives in the community such as summer camps, Estonian school, and events at the Estonian House are greatly supported by the EFC which helps these events continue for Estonians in Canada. The EFC connects us to Eesti by ensuring that we have an active community in Canada and by keeping traditions alive such as folk dancing, choirs, etc. Without the support from the EFC these incredible events would not be possible.