Newcomer finds calm and safety

Michelle Miller

Every year, women from around the world arrive in Ottawa in search of safety, stability, and the chance to rebuild their lives. One of the first places that some call home is Carty House, a transitional residence for refugee women in the heart of Sandy Hill. We recently had the privilege of speaking with a newly arrived resident who shares about the welcome she received and the hopes she carries for the future.

“My name is Mariam,” she begins. “I come from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and I’ve been in Canada for four months.” When asked about her home country, she reflects, “It’s a good problematic country,” capturing in a single phrase both her love for home and the challenges she left behind.

Arriving in Ottawa has brought many surprises. “It is really calm here,” she says. “No noise, no one disturbs you, people respect each other, and I feel safe.” Feeling safe is no small thing for someone who has journeyed far from home. “What does it mean to have a safe place to live at Carty House?” we ask. Mariam shares. “I was welcomed very well. I feel good now that I have a space to stay. I made friends in the house, I have food, and Carty House staff help me look for work and give me the information I need.”

Adjusting to a new country comes with challenges, too. “You have to be bilingual to express yourself well,” she says. Still, Mariam approaches these hurdles with determination and optimism. When asked if she is ready for the winter, she remarked, “When I first saw the snow, I loved it! The way it falls was wooo!”

The support she received early on made a big difference. Now, with stability under her feet, Mariam is looking ahead. “I found Carty House! I will now be able to find a stable job, get the training I need, learn English, and leave Carty House independently,” she explains. “Finding a job is the first thing I am really looking forward to so I can make my own income and save to reunite with my children.”

She is also proud deeply proud of how far she has come. “I am proud to have arrived in Canada, where I feel safe and where I can find the help I need.” When asked what gives her hope, she answers simply and powerfully: “Because I am alive, I have hope to work and take care of my needs.”

Mariam carries her culture with her everywhere she goes, and she dreams of sharing it with others. “I would like Ottawa residents to know Congolese food Pondu, Madesu and music,” she says. She looks forward to cooking for her new housemates and bringing a piece of home into her new life in Canada.

If Mariam’s story has moved you, we invite you to learn more and join us in making that hope possible for many more women. Visit us online at CartyHouse.org.