By Danielle Kutchel
From total strangers to firm friends: that was the transformational impact of Brentwood Park WASEMA Friendship Cafe’s International Women’s Day event.
On Thursday 11 March, women from around the Casey area gathered at Brentwood Park Neighbourhood House for a morning tea and a celebration of women from all backgrounds.
Some brought friends, while others braved the event solo – but they didn’t stay that way for long.
Seated at communal tables, the ladies began to open up conversations with the strangers beside them, until the room filled with laughter and the sorts of casual chats you hear amongst close friends.
A round of dancing began, with guests spinning and rolling to the Bee Gees.
Soon, most of those in the room were adorned with henna tattoos, while a raffle and a guess-the-number game drew out some friendly competition.
The feedback at the end of the morning was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees saying they were glad they’d been able to meet new people and promising to attend more of the Friendship Cafe’s Thursday morning meet-ups.
In fact, the event was the first in-person meet for the Brentwood Park WASEMA Friendship Cafe, which commenced just as Covid hit and has been running catch-ups on Zoom for the past year.
Facilitator of the Friendship Cafe, Zoh Hasib, said she was “very happy” with the level of turnout for the “inauguration and celebration”, and stressed the importance of the day.
“I think taking one day out specifically for women means everything you’ve done or sacrificed or committed to, it’s a day to celebrate that.
“Throughout my life I’ve met so many amazing women who made so many sacrifices, and I hope I can be as successful as they are.”
She encouraged women in the area to continue visiting the cafe on Thursdays.
“I want Thursdays for two hours for ladies to forget whatever is going on outside and come in here and just be you,” Ms Hasib said.
