“I had a problem in my country, people wanted to hurt, maybe kill me.”
A well-spoken man with a calm demeanor, Ibrahim knew he had to flee Uganda. As a former driver for a politician who had gone into hiding, he had been targeted and assaulted.
To illustrate his point, he matter-of-factly rolls up his shirt to show a large, fresh scar on his side.
Seeking safety, he arrived in Canada to claim political asylum; but it wasn’t exactly a smooth process. With a deficit of support or resources to help receive him, he ended up on the street. He struggled for a week, not knowing where to turn. Until someone told him about The Ottawa Mission.
He had never stayed in a shelter before and he admits he was a little apprehensive.
“I thought, will I be OK? But after a week, I realized I was safe here. They look after us very well.”
Ibrahim then goes on to warmly recount how he was sheltered, clothed, and fed “breakfast, lunch, and dinner…chicken and mashed potatoes, fish and chips on Fridays…”, using his fingers to keep track of the meals as he lists them off with a smile.
“And of course, Mr. Shad with The Mission helped me find housing.”
Today, Ibrahim is` a cook at a retirement home in Ottawa’s east end. He’s working hard to obtain his permanent resident status, reunite with his family, and one day, give back to The Ottawa Mission.
“I want to help the Mission like they helped me, I am so thankful.”