A Welcoming Shore: Hannah's Story
“I think that refugees are our most resilient teachers. They form the fabric in many ways of our society and what it means to be Canadian.”
– Hannah Marazzi
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We love sharing the stories of the amazing people connected to Matthew House Ottawa. Enjoy!
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Hannah Marazzi’s commitment to helping her community was modeled for her from a young age.
The child of an immigrant, she grew up in a large Italian family and watched her grandmother offer English lessons to support newcomers in their hometown. When Hannah’s friend suggested she apply to be on Matthew House Ottawa’s Board of Directors, it seemed like a natural fit.
“It was a real love affair right from the start,” Hannah remembers of her introduction to Matthew House. Believing she shouldn’t be making decisions on behalf of people without getting to know them, she simultaneously became a Board member and began volunteering with MHO’s refugee services.
“I would sprint to Matthew House after work to make dinner,” Hannah laughs. “Meanwhile the residents were judging my cooking!” The well-natured teasing made her feel at ease in the house, and she shares that the work has always been incredibly rewarding.
“As much as I used to show up at the governance table or the dinner table looking to serve, so too I emerged with much greater gifts.”
On a day where the house was particularly full, Hannah sat around the table with the residents joking about starting a choir – there was one woman in particular who was always singing and trying to get others to join in. A 19-year-old resident met her challenge: “I can sing!” he declared. When told to prove it, he launched into a rendition of Amazing Grace in Kirundi.
“People joined in, singing in their own language,” recalls Hannah. “I was crying at the other end of the table. I remember thinking: This is it. This is belonging, this is invitation. We all carry a song within us, wherever we come from.”
Committed to the house and its residents, Hannah jokes she went on to recruit her entire church to come and volunteer with her. Her peers would paint, clean, and do whatever was necessary to pitch in.
“I reminded them we had been born into incredible privilege through no act of our own, and we are to walk a mile in another’s shoes,” says Hannah. “Accompanying our neighbours is the least we can do. If you are awake to it, these global neighbours have things to teach you that you could never hope to learn in the same way. But you would do well to learn if you were willing. If you’ll let it, volunteering and engaging with Matthew House can be the beginning of a story of living deeper into what love and belonging can look like.”
Nearly four years into her time volunteering with MHO, Hannah now serves as Secretary for the Board of Directors. She says that while it can feel tempting to look away from human suffering, she believes it is important to wade into the discomfort.
Hannah shares a line from British-Somali poet Warsan Shire: no one leaves home unless / home is the mouth of a shark. “If someone’s home becomes the mouth of a shark, we need to be their welcoming shore,” she reflects. “I live with the understanding that it could be me. I wish so desperately for us to have a sense of urgent belonging towards one another.”
When asked what she finds most rewarding about her work with Matthew House, Hannah shares, “The beauty and resilience and gorgeousness of the human spirit motivate me… I think that refugees are our most resilient teachers. They form the fabric in many ways of our society and what it means to be Canadian. Volunteering with Matthew House has provided me with a front-row seat of the school of life.”
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Want to create a sense of belonging and welcome for your neighbours? Here’s how you can open doors at Matthew House Ottawa:
Donations: you can give online here or cheques can be mailed to 380 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa ON K2G 6A1.
Volunteer with us: We currently need volunteers to support our furniture bank and refugee services programs. Click here for more info and to apply.
Refugee Services: Do you have an extra room in your house? Or a home to rent? If so, please complete this form, and we will follow up to discuss how we might partner together to welcome and support refugees. We have some big plans and you can help!
Furniture Bank: If you have gently-used furniture to share 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 7000 families in need. Thank you for helping to make this important work possible!