Daysi Maragoni

El Salvador to Canada: Daysi Maragoni’s Story

Daysi Maragoni was born in El Salvador. Her family’s roots go back to Spanish conquistadors and generations of people looking for something better. She was ten years old when the civil war made staying impossible.

Daysi’s parents met serendipitously in San Salvador, living just five houses apart after migrating from opposite ends of the country. Their love story blossomed amid challenges, but the escalating civil war in the 1980s forced them to flee to Canada in 1984, seeking refuge for their young family. Daysi, then just 10 years old, vividly recalls the chaos of her childhood: one moment she would be innocently playing tag with her friends, and the next, she and her family would be hiding from the sounds of gunfire echoing through the streets. The duality of her youth left an indelible mark on her character.

Canada

The move to Ottawa brought an unexpected culture shock for Daysi and her family. They arrived in the throes of a -18°C snowstorm, a stark contrast to the warm climates of El Salvador. Navigating a new life meant learning English in grade five, a daunting task compounded by feeling isolated and longing for familiarity. Daysi often cried nightly for the friends and family she left behind—each tear a tribute to the connections she cherished. However, amidst the turmoil and transition, Canada offered something invaluable: a pathway to opportunity. Daysi’s father, a skilled cameraman, found his footing in the Canadian media landscape, building a career with notable organizations like CTV, Rogers, and CPAC.

Her father’s path gave her the blueprint. A skilled cameraman, he built a career in Canadian media — CTV, Rogers, CPAC — from scratch, in a second language, in a country he arrived in with nothing settled. Daysi watched that and aimed higher. University degree, stable career, and alongside it all, a growing interest in storytelling.

Occupation

Government worker by day, podcaster by night. Through the NAO podcast, Daysi brings the kind of stories that don’t usually get airtime — immigrant experiences, cultural crossroads, the lives happening just outside the main frame.

PS She’s Married to Francesco

Dive deeper into the full interview below.