Fiesta fun … Women across Brimbank are being encouraged to attend a multicultural festival this Friday. Yan Li, Vasantha Prasad and Mei Hsin are pictured. 56364 Picture: KRISTIAN SCOTT
By Natalie Gallenti
WOMEN from across Brimbank are being invited to unite and experience diverse cultures as part of the Fiesta of Food, Culture, Information and Fun.
Council is supporting the event, which will be hosted by a group of residents who recently completed an intensive training course at Victoria University and are now working hard to deliver fundamental community-based projects.
Ardeer resident Mei Hsin said the group was eager to offer women from culturally diverse backgrounds an opportunity to come together and make the transition into a new community as smooth as possible.
Ms Hsin who migrated from Taiwan six years ago said when she arrived in Brimbank the lack of family support meant she became isolated and was bordering on depression.
“I was very depressed for two years. I never smiled,” Ms Hsin recalled.
It was not until she had her first child that she began to get out of the house and attend playgroup sessions and library events.
Not wanting to segregate her child, Ms Hsin felt compelled to venture into the community and has not looked back since.
She even helps refugees learn to read.
“It’s very important for people to get out.
“I’m so much happier now and my daughter is always doing something.”
The fiesta will be held this Friday, November 19, at the West Sunshine Community Centre and council staff will be on hand to deliver information on a range of services available to women from multicultural backgrounds. Graduates from the leadership program will showcase delicacies and traditions from their countries of origin.
For information call Terri Soumilas on 9249 4496.
