29/07/2024
Rejvi and Ahelam met just a few weeks ago while volunteering at the Summer in the Square event at Aberfeldy. The two women are both from Bangladesh – and bonded over their experience of coming to a new country and establishing new roots.
Volunteering at Summer in the Square
Both Rejvi and Ahelam attended a volunteering fair at Whitechapel Town Hall – which was hosted by the Volunteer Centre Tower Hamlets. They were interested in getting involved in the local community – and hoped to build their confidence and communication skills. That’s how they came to volunteer at Summer in the Square.
The event took place in Aberfeldy Square on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 July. It was a chance to celebrate Aberfeldy businesses around the square with food, arts, sports and general merriment. People also got to watch the Euro 2024 semi-finals.
“It was so fun,” Rejvi said. “I made a new friend and I got a break from my baby and my husband. I’m always looking for jobs and not hearing anything back – so I felt happy to do something that will help me with new skills and that can build my confidence.”
Building friendships and confidence
“I’m so happy I volunteered because now I know about Poplar HARCA,” Ahelam said. “I want to volunteer again. I think this helped my confidence because I was given responsibilities and I felt so proud when we created all the decorations for the event.”
It was also a chance for the two women to build a friendship. “We talk on the phone and laugh,” Rejvi said.
Ahelam added: “I’m so happy we met. I have a friend here who is like me and we can help each other.”
Celebrating their south Asian heritage
This month it is South Asian Heritage Month. We are celebrating the amazing people from the south Asian community who make Poplar and Bow such an incredible place to live and work. Our volunteers, like Ahelam and Rejvi, are a big part of that.
Meeting another person who shared the experience of coming to a new country and establishing roots has been a huge help for both women. “I like that we meet up all the time,” Ahelam said. “It reminds me a bit of living in Bangladesh, where everyone helped each other.”
They are both very proud of their south Asian culture and heritage. “Our food is very important to me,” Rejvi said. “I miss the food in Bangladesh. My mum showed me she cared through her food.”
They both said that they were proud to be south Asian because there is a strong sense of community and everybody helps one another. Rejvi added: “You don’t see this all the time in other cultures.”