For Louise Simbandumwe, the building is still in flames.
Thirty years ago, Simbandumwe and her family left everything behind to seek refuge in India. Their home in Burundi was disintegrating by the day and blood from the wide-spread massacres that claimed the lives of relatives and close friends was spilling closer.
After the family arrived with nothing but the clothes on their backs, any hope of returning to the life they imagined was dashed when her parents received a letter from home.
"My mom and dad were on the list of people to be killed," said Simbandumwe, now 41. "We weren't going back."
That's why she has devoted her life to assisting others. She helps those who arrive in Canada with nothing, or those who haven't yet found their way, to invent new circumstances for themselves.
"It's almost not a choice; it's something that I have to do," Simbandumwe said Tuesday, prior to receiving the Mosaic Merit Award. The honour is given annually by the Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba to recognize the contributions of new Canadians in areas like social justice and community support.
"It's kind of like escaping a burning building. You made it out, but there are people still in there, and they're screaming. You need to do something to help," Simbandumwe said.
Working with SEED Winnipeg, an organization that provides employment and economic development in low income families, Simbandumwe has helped develop financial programs designed to give new Canadians a head start. One of those initiatives is an asset building venture, where people save money that is matched so they can purchase the things they need, whether it's a house or a bed for their children.
"They're coming here to start over," she said. "They have nothing, so developing assets for them is a priority."
Noëlle DePape, the executive director of IRCOM, said the impact of Simbandumwe in the community development field is immeasurable. Not only does she provide a model for new refugees as they attempt to build up from nothing, but she also keeps service providers in touch with the needs of families.
"She keeps us accountable, which is sometimes overlooked in the support process," DePape said.
Simbandumwe downplayed the accolades she received Tuesday. The work she's done, whether here in Winnipeg or abroad for Amnesty International, doesn't deserve mention, she feels.
"Being a refugee is a violent uprooting," she said. "I remember just not really knowing what the next day would bring, and it was tough to find a level of comfort through that. Figuring out a way to build a life in a new environment was difficult."
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