Hakeem came to Canada as a refugee from Nigeria in October 2023. With no car, no job, and very little money, Hakeem didn’t have many options and took a bus to The Mustard Seed shelter. Initially, Hakeem found it difficult to ask for help, but was relieved when he received a very warm welcome from The Mustard Seed staff.
"Where I come from, we don’t experience things like that. Nothing comes for free,” says Hakeem.
Once at The Mustard Seed shelter, Hakeem was issued a card, given clothes, a warm meal and was able to apply for his work permit. Hoping to make it on his own, Hakeem knew he needed a job to make money and support himself. While applying for jobs Hakeem ran into another obstacle – he didn’t have the gear or courses many of the businesses required. Hakeem felt at a loss.
With nowhere else to turn, in January 2024, Hakeem returned once again to the Mustard Seed to ask for some help.
It was here that Hakeem met Tony, a staff member at The Mustard Seed that worked with the employment program. This program is designed to support people looking for work, with the goal of Mustard Seed guests gaining independence.
“The way they received me, the smile and everything, I felt at home already” Hakeem says, with a smile of his own.
Overcome with emotion, Hakeem explains how the employment program supported him when he needed it the most.
The Mustard Seed was able to provide him with:
- Safety boots
- Pay for a safety course (needed for job)
- Pay for forklift certification (also needed for job)
- Help create a resume
- Coaching on how an interview works
- Appropriate clothes for interviews
However, the most valuable piece was the encouragement and hope he got from the staff.
“Which species of human being is this?” Hakeem laughs recalling his experience with Tony.
“He was never fed up with people's problems. Honestly, he was just wonderful,” says Hakeem.
Finally, on March 22, 2024, Hakeem got a phone call from an employer asking if he can start right away.
“It was a great relief,” says Hakeem.
“When I went home, I felt so much joy within me. Feels like I am being looked after,” says Hakeem.
While his new job came with its own challenges, like having to climb ladders while being afraid of heights, he shared that one thing makes working through this fear a lot easier.
“The joy of having a job!” laughs Hakeem.
Now that Hakeem can work, he knows he had to learn to ask for help and wants to remind others that it’s okay.
“I would like to encourage a lot of people who feel shy like me, who think they don't want to depend on people, that there are people they can depend on,” says Hakeem.
Hakeem is so grateful to The Mustard Seed for helping him out when he needed it most. He hopes to help others in the same way.
“The donors are imparting a lot of life through what they are doing. They are giving people hope to stand on their feet again. I would like to join this category of people who donate to support The Mustard Seed.”
Thank you so much for sharing your story, Hakeem! If you are like Hakeem and would like to join those that donate to The Mustard Seed, you can click here.
