A charity that supports refugee mothers in the borough celebrated International Women’s Day with yoga, food and messages of female-empowerment on Tuesday March 5.
Fifteen mothers joined the party held by Manor Gardens at Hornsey Road Children’s Nursery to celebrate motherhood, diversity and community.
“We need this as women,” said Laila, 30, holding her one-year-old daughter in her arms. None of the women attending the event wanted to share their surnames as they say they are nervous about the UK’s immigration system.
At the celebration, there were women and children of Somali, Spanish, Arabic, Turkish and Bulgarian heritage. Together, they enjoyed a yoga session, posed for photos with fun accessories and ate hummus with bread.
“It helps them feel part of some community,” said Director of Fundraising at Manor Gardens Felicity Ford. “We held the event at the children’s centre as these women usually wouldn’t come through the door.”
Good friends Marian, 45, and Sahra, 40, met two years ago through the charity. Both enjoyed the party: “If I talk Somali, I am happy,” said Sahra.
Manor Gardens runs the Early Parent Programme which provides community mentors to women who do not speak English and are unaware of the support offered through pregnancy and afterwards.
Najuma Ali from Somalia has been a community mentor for 20 years.
She said: “It’s important to share culture and mix communities. We’re non-judgemental and informal, we signpost women to the services they need.”
