Louis' story
“It’s like a family. Everyone is welcoming and friendly and we’re all working together to help others.”
– Louis
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Each month we share stories of amazing people connected to Matthew House Ottawa. Enjoy!
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What is your name? Louis
Have you always lived in Ottawa?
No, I’m originally from Rwanda. I came to Canada by myself in November, 2019. It was difficult to come here on my own.
How did you get connected to Matthew House Ottawa?
After living in Montreal for a few weeks, I came to Ottawa and stayed at a men’s shelter downtown. I couldn’t stay there for long because I have health issues and people were smoking. Also, it was very loud and sometimes people were shouting.
Through friends in Rwanda, I connected to someone living in Ottawa and they let me stay at their home until I found a place to live because I couldn’t go back to the shelter. They were acquainted with a resident at the Matthew House in Nepean and put me in contact with this person. She told me there was one space available at the house and I could come and take a tour to see if I would be interested.
When I arrived, I was surprised to see that it was a house and it only accommodated eight people. I was expecting it to be a shelter. I decided right away that I wanted to live there. I couldn’t believe that I would be able to stay in a place like this. I felt so lucky that there was an open spot and they were offering it to me.
I stayed at the Matthew House in Nepean for about six months (February-July, 2020), and then I moved to the Matthew House in South Keys for three months.
Why did you like living at Matthew House?
I had never lived with a group of people before so I wasn’t sure what it would be like but I was lucky because another resident spoke the same language as I did and this helped me to settle in and adjust to living at the house.
It was so comforting to go to sleep at night feeling safe and knowing that no one was going to go through my possessions and when I woke up in the morning there would be food for me to eat. All the residents followed the house rules; we respected and helped each other out. It was like living with a big family. I was grateful that I was provided with this opportunity.
When you moved out of Matthew House, did you need any furniture?
When I left Matthew House, I moved into a house that had some furniture so I only needed a few items like a kitchen table and chairs and I was able to get that at the furniture bank.
Why did you want to volunteer at the furniture bank?
Back home, my father ran a non-profit organization that helped children affected by the genocide in Rwanda so I grew up in an environment of helping and sharing with others less fortunate. When I came to Canada, I was now in a position where I needed help and I found people at Matthew House and the furniture bank that had the heart and ability to help people regardless of their circumstances.
It reminded me of my family and life back home and this inspired and motivated me to volunteer at the furniture bank. I was really touched to see how the furniture bank helped refugees and low-income families.
Volunteering at the furniture bank is similar to living at the Matthew House. It’s like a family. Everyone is welcoming and friendly and we’re all working together to help others.
When did you start working on the furniture bank truck crew?
I was having trouble getting my work permit so I was putting in a lot of hours at the furniture bank and this helped me learn many of the tasks of being on the crew. In November, 2020, David Botha, program director at the furniture bank, offered me a job on the truck crew and I accepted. I was really happy because I knew how the furniture bank worked and what my responsibilities would be for the position.
Can you share a story that demonstrates the positive experience you’ve had working at the furniture bank?
Many times when we’re delivering furniture, we’ll go into a client’s home and it’s empty. I can’t help but wonder how these families have been surviving with nothing. It always amazes me how patient they are waiting for their furniture to be delivered while living under these challenging circumstances.
Each family’s situation is different, but every time I deliver furniture to a client’s home, it’s always a moving experience knowing that we’ve made such a big difference in their lives. It’s very motivating.
Why do you think it’s important for people to help Matthew House Ottawa by donating money, furniture, or their time?
When we pick up furniture, often the donor will say that they no longer need this furniture and they hope that it will be of use to someone who really needs it. But they don’t know what the end result will be. As a member of the truck crew, I see how their donation transforms a client’s situation.
As a former Matthew House resident, furniture bank recipient, volunteer, and employee, these experiences have enabled me to gain an understanding of the overall purpose of Matthew House Ottawa and the various ways that people contribute to the organization, whether it’s donating money, furniture or volunteering, and how it all makes a difference in the lives of the residents and clients. I’m grateful to everyone who has donated to Matthew House Ottawa.
Interview by Barb Koppe.
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Wanna help? Here is how you can change lives through Matthew House Ottawa:
Donations: you can give online here or cheques can be mailed to 380 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa ON K2G 6A1.
Become a monthly donor: The consistent support from our monthly donors is a HUGE help, and we would encourage you to give in this way if you are able. You can set up a monthly donation here – just click “donate monthly” tab at the top of the page.
Volunteer with us: We currently need volunteers, especially with our refugee services program.
Refugee Services: We welcome donations of grocery cards, groceries and frozen meals to help feed the refugees we have welcomed at the house, though we ask that you please contact Doreen in advance to make arrangements (dkatto@matthewhouseottawa.org).
Furniture Bank: If you have gently-used furniture you no longer need, please give us a call at 613-591-6681. And please spread the word among your networks as well.
Pray: for past, present and future residents and furniture bank clients
Since 2010, Matthew House Ottawa has welcomed hundreds of refugee claimants, and provided quality used furniture to more than 6000 families in need. We have done this as a large, dedicated team of volunteers and a small handful of employees, with a lot of passion and commitment. Thank you for helping to make this important work possible!