From Drop-off to Delivery: Axel's Story
“As a client of the Furniture Bank, my family is an example of how the generosity of others helped make our home a better place.”
– Axel Ntagungira
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Each month we share stories of amazing people connected to Matthew House Ottawa. Enjoy!
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Like most teenagers, Axel Ntagungira, 18, was looking for a job to gain work experience and make some money. But how he landed his first job was not conventional.
Originally from Rwanda, Axel came to Ottawa in 2020 to join his mother and three siblings who had been living here since 2012. After Axel’s mother completed her appointment at the Furniture Bank, the family waited with anticipation for their furniture and household items to be delivered to their home. On delivery day, David Botha, program director at the Furniture Bank, was driving the truck and working with the crew. While Axel was moving the furniture from the curb into his home, he struck up a conversation with David.
“David told me that if I was looking for a job, there was a summer student position with the Furniture Bank truck crew and if I was interested, I should apply. I submitted an application, got an interview, and I was offered the job which I happily accepted.”
Axel started working at the Furniture Bank in June 2021. He had a long commute taking two buses and the O-Train that took an hour and a half each way. But the early mornings and travel time were worth it to Axel because he enjoyed working with the staff and volunteers at the Furniture Bank.
“Everyone was very welcoming to me at the Furniture Bank. I had only been there for about two weeks when I was invited to go with the team to La Ronde amusement park in Montreal. It was really fun riding the rollercoasters with the team and it helped me get to know everyone.”
The job was a good fit for Axel because he likes to keep active and there were many tasks to complete at the Furniture Bank.
“As a member of the truck crew, I was always working on something whether it was organizing the furniture in the warehouse, delivering furniture to clients, or picking up donated items. Another part of the job I liked was that we drove all over Ottawa and this helped me to get to know the city. When I came to Ottawa in 2020, there were many COVID-19 restrictions so I didn’t go out much. In the truck, the crew would point out places to me that I might need to go to in the future.”
The structure and hours of the job helped Axel maintain a routine during the summer that would prepare him for Grade 12 at Collège catholique Samuel-Genest in the fall.
“The job kept me motivated and punctual during the summer because I had to get up at 6:00 a.m. for my commute to the Furniture Bank.”
The work experience and skills Axel gained at the Furniture Bank will help him when he applies for his next job that will hopefully be closer to his home and fit with this high school schedule.
“Working at the Furniture Bank helped me develop customer service skills as we had to deal with many different people and situations. For example, when we delivered furniture to a client who lived on the 4th floor of a building with no elevator, it was a challenge having to walk up many flights of stairs to get the furniture into the apartment and deal with the client.”
As a client and employee of the Furniture Bank, Axel knows firsthand the impact a furniture donation can make to a low-income family.
“Many times when we delivered the furniture to a client, I would see how much of a difference these items made to a family and their home. As a client of the Furniture Bank myself my family is an example of how the generosity of others helped make our home a better place. When I look around my bedroom, everything I have in it including the pictures and decorative items is from the Furniture Bank. It’s amazing.”
“It’s so helpful when people donate their furniture to the Furniture Bank so that other families can use it. What is no longer useful to one person can be helpful to others.”
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!