Biography 274: Sometimes you like someone without any reason; you just feel like that.

 Favouritism,

I have heard from all parents. They love their children equally. And I have seen that they all have their own favourite child. In most cases, parents love their older kid more than others, and in some cases, the youngest one.

My parents have their own way of favouritism. They loved their older daughter the most. Whatever she asked for, they always tried to bring it to her. She is very gentle and good in her education, which made our parents love her more.

In my childhood, because of my happy mood and smile, I caught my parents' attention. Later, I proved I was not gentle like the older one and not good at education like her. So, my parent had no hope for me; I couldn't become their favourite. But for all the work and sacrifices they asked me to do. For example, if my parents needed to go out, sometimes for other children, they asked me to cancel my school and stay home. Sometimes, I had to go out with my mom to help her. I did. Then I noticed no one else was doing this kind of thing; it only came to me.

If my younger sister woke up late and the regular breakfast had finished, my mom made her special food for breakfast. I thought maybe because I always came to the table on time, I never got it. One day, I intentionally woke up late. But no, I didn't get the special treat. I never had that.

On the weekend, we all used to sleep longer. But sometimes, my mom woke me up to go to the nearby grocery store to buy something. None of my other siblings had to do this.

My younger sisters like a special part of the chicken. If they don't get it, they start screaming. I wanted those parts, too. If I somehow took one, my mom used to take it from my plate and give it to them.

One day, my mom was making paratha and put it on the plate. I sit on the chair to have my breakfast. My mom came running to me and took the plate away from there. And put it on my older sister's spot. She ate that later. My mom gave me paratha from leftovers of the previous day's breakfast; she warmed it up for me. I didn't say anything. But on that day, I cried in my room. Then I thought, It always happens to me, so why would I cry that day?

In my childhood, I thought about it many times. Why do they not like me? Not only them, but I found that people around me don't like me. They make distances with me, don't want to go out with me or see me in their happy moments. I always keep thinking, why? Maybe I did something that they couldn't tolerate, just being jealous, feeling insecure, or anything else. Each time, I try to fix myself, but it never works.

I always tried to listen to my parents and help them as much as possible. I have always done it, and I am trying to do it now, too. My dad started liking me when he was old. He knew I was trying to help him without any expectation; it's just me. I couldn't do much for my mom because I was far away from her. She hoped I would do more for her. I couldn't, but I will whenever I can.

Now I think I am the best. If you don't like me, it's your issue; you can live with that. I recommend staying away from me if you don't feel good with me. I will live as I am. Love me or leave me.

Eid Mubarak

Without this song, Bangladeshi people can't celebrate Eid.

May Allah bring peace all over the world. Let's all live happily and enjoy Eid.

The last night of Ramadan.

 This could be the last night of Ramadan. May Allah shower blessings upon us. May Allah forgive all of our sins, may Allah remove all pains and suffering among us, may Allah give us a peaceful life and Jannah after death, may Allah keep us happy and give us a lovely life. Ameen, Ameen, Ameen.

A Self-Evaluation Report

 Group members: 

1. Introduction

We presented on April 03, 2024. Our topic was “Closing Facilitation.” My co-facilitators were Hali Omar, Sharon Jean, and Shawn Heydary. I have attached:

- our presentation,

- quiz page,

- workshop design sheet, and

- All evolution forms from the observers.

2. Planning

In our group discussion, we decided that I would cover how to wrap up a workshop/seminar and group activities. I have added a quiz activity at the end. Students will learn something through the quiz. Also, laughing at the end of the presentation will be good humour.

I have updated the observation form with our group names and printed five copies.

I have planned, created, and designed a quiz paper and printed 25 copies.

3. Facilitating – during class

We utilized our presentation timing appropriately. We have given enough time to participate in our activities and write down the observer evolutions.

In our agenda, we added more summaries after each presentation slide, but then we realized that we could summarize everything when presenting the slide; there was no need to add another slide for a summary. In the end, the group only decided to provide an overview, but I added it to a quiz; like every course, we added a quiz at the end. It’s just to add extra humour to the presentation so the participants enjoy a fun moment and learn something from it.

I worked on my slides independently. Then, my group shared their opinions and made some adjustments. I researched my topics and added all the information I had collected in a short form.

Our co-facilitators had researched their topics well and then presented them briefly. Our professor also joined us as the topic was significant.

4. Evaluating

 

 

After checking the evaluation form, I found 32 positive comments and two suggestions for making things different.

 

After the presentation, everybody said they liked it very much. The class laughed, enjoyed it, and said they wanted the presentation. For example, one said that he may forget all the presentations but will remember this one, especially the quiz. Others were saying it was amazing; they even could think of how we would end our presentation on closing facilitations.

From this presentation, I learned a lot. I have seen many presentations and observed how they close their work. I have researched online and followed our given book. I have learned much about the importance of closing a group work and a seminar/workshop. 

If I had facilitated the presentation again, I would have made it more colourful, added some videos, and spoke less.

5. References

- Textbook

- Course Resources

- Course Pack: Sections 9 & 6

- Class notes on Brightspace

- Ideas for Closing your Workshop. (n.d.). SKILLS21. https://www.mcgill.ca/skills21/facilitator-guide/plan/ideas-closing-your-workshop

- What are the most effective ways to close a workshop? (2023, December 1). https://www.linkedin.com/advice/1/what-most-effective-ways-close-workshop-training-advice-4x89c

Some important issues to remember about food serving in corporate meetings or home

 We live in a multicultural world. Everybody has different food habits, fasting days, and spice levels. So, when we arrange a corporal party or even any house party, the host must consider all of these.

If we need to arrange a food party in the daytime during the month of Ramadan, Muslims won't be able to eat anything. In this case, I recommend serving food in a box. So, if anyone wants to eat right on the spot, they can eat it. Anyone who wants to take it home or away and eat it later can easily do it.

When we serve food, we should make a small note by mentioning main ingredients like beef, mutton, Fish, or Halal. We can also mention whether it is vegetarian or vegan.

If we can provide two kinds of food, Halal and vegan, then everybody will be able to enjoy it. Nonveg people can eat halal meat, and vegetarians can enjoy vegan food.

Again, everybody can enjoy the beverages with non-alcoholic drinks, like a mocktail.

Still, we should be careful about allergic items. That is why that tiny note in front of the food is important. You can mention that it has nuts or milk products, etc.

A Quiz, everyone failed in the class

 Professor Mahbubul Hauque from the University of Dhaka gave this kind of quiz in our first class long ago. We all failed. After a long time, I took this quiz in my class at Georga Brown College. Yes, all failed. Later, I explained why they failed.

Quiz

C01 Community Worker
Winter Semester
George Brown College

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1.      What is your professor’s full name?

 

Ans:

 

2.      How many facilitators facilitate today’s presentation?

 

Ans:

 

3.      What colors have been used in the presentation?

 

Ans:

 

4.      How will you evaluate this presentation?

 

Ans:

 

 

If you have completed reading all the questions, please write down your name and submit the paper to a facilitator.

Biography 273: Mini stage program, every day.

 After lunch, every afternoon, we four sisters used to play together. We used to make plans, prepare and execute a cultural function. It had dance, song, reciting poems, and many more. We had a program speaker and also a mini stage to perform. The audience was also us. I can tell you about the program, its quality was very good. Generally, my two younger sisters and I always danced and sang along with other items. My older sister never tried that. She knew how to play guitar, draw pictures, recite, and other staff. But singing and dancing wasn't her plate of food.

Now, who was the boss? Everyone. When everyone is boss, the program obviously ends with fighting with each other, mostly verbally, sometimes physically. The final ending happened with my mom. She couldn't sleep because of our big fighting noise. Well, she also became physical, too.

Don't waste any parts of food.

 I try not to waste anything, especially food. A few days ago, I tried something new with cabbage by watching a recipe video. In that recipe, the chef squeezed the graded cabbage and asked to throw out the water. 

I didn't like that. As chefs, they shouldn't say that. They must be encouraged to utilize any part of the food. 

I kept the water. It was nutrient-rich from the cabbage. Later, I cooked rice with that water. Yes, I added more water, oil, salt, and lemon juice. The rice had a beautiful aroma and taste, and I didn't have to waste the water from the cabbage.

INTERVENTION/SOLUTION RATIONALE AND PRELIMINARY WORKPLAN

Invade Indigenous land.

 The development of a Theory of change and the completion of a logic model

• What is the specific problem that I am working to resolve?

The problem is “Invading indigenous unseeded land or the traditional territory.” This invasion by the Government or big corporations is a big problem for Indigenous people and their lifestyle and also for the environment.

The Canadian Government and Indigenous authority made a contract or treaty that Indigenous people could live in a reserve land and follow their own culture and norms. The land is dedicated to the Indigenous people.

Initially, the reserved land given to indigenous people was unsuitable for harvesting. But Indigenous people had no option. Later, these areas became important for many natural resources. Many times in different indigenous territories, the Canadian Government (sometimes on behalf of big corporations) put highways, took water from the land, gave some company authority to check for oil or other minerals, let them make pipelines, etc. These activities happened without considering changes or destroying the ecosystem on indigenous land. That’s why, for any activity on the reserved land, the Canadian Government should obtain proper consent from the Indigenous leader of that land.

 

• What are the factors that cause the problem?

Indigenous people are very aware of the protection of land and nature. That’s why they are careful with natural resources. So, when anything harms nature, indigenous people protest and try to protect it.

Sometimes, these projects take land, destroy water bodies, and destroy flora and fauna, which directly impacts Indigenous people’s health. Sometimes, human rights are not even respected during the project. For example, Indigenous people lose their clean water supply or are affected by poisonous chemicals.

Then, for years, they keep suffering, but no one is there to stop those unhealthy projects.

 

• Is there any data to support my analysis?

In 2018, there were 174 unsafe drinking water advisories in over 100 First Nations communities. Short-term advisories warn residents of a water quality issue on a certain water system. Long-term drinking water advisories have been in place for more than one year. (Yenilmez, 2022)

With the stench of chemicals in the air, the students learned of the striking impacts of airborne toxins and spills on the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, as well as working-class Sarnia residents and industry workers. These impacts are all too real for the Aamjiwnaang First Nation, which has higher rates of asthma, cancer, miscarriages, stillbirths and other adverse conditions. (Western Law, 2024)

• What factors are you planning to address in my intervention?

I want to create a law that no one can make any changes to the indigenous land without the indigenous leaders of that land’s consent.

• What are the related behaviours that I want to change?

To finalize any project on the reserved Indigenous land, one must discuss it with the Indigenous people who are living on that land. They have more knowledge about that land, and they live on it.

Target Group

• Who am I targeting?

The prime minister. He, who can make this law.

• Why are they my target group?

All parliament members are part of the Government and the opposition group. They can bring and pass the legislation.

• What is their status at this point in the project, vis-à-vis my issue?

I believe all levels of Government, from local to federal, are involved in this issue. But if parliament passes this law, then everyone will follow it.

• What subgroup will be more likely to change their behaviour?

The big oil/mining companies may change their behaviour to follow the law and start respecting indigenous suggestions. They might devise a good solution that indigenous people will agree on, and the project might have been done correctly.

• How do I expect to change their behaviour?

Now, it seems that the authority doesn’t care about Indigenous people’s health or the climate. If we pass this law, they will be bound to follow proper procedures to make a plan succeed. It will be suitable for the environment and the Indigenous people who are living on that land.

References:

-          Yenilmez, S. (2022, July 26). Indigenous safe drinking water crisis in canada- overview. The Indigenous Foundation. https://www.theindigenousfoundation.org/articles/indigenous-safe-drinking-water-crisis-in-canada-overview#:~:text=In%202018%2C%20there%20were%20174,for%20more%20than%20one%20year.

 

-          Toxic tour of Chemical Valley illustrates the impact of environmental injustice on indigenous and working-class communities. Western Law. (April 03, 2024). https://law.uwo.ca/news/2024/toxic_tour_of_chemical_valley_illustrates_the_impact_of_environmental_injustice_on_indigenous_and_workingclass_communities_.html

 

-          Box, C. T. (n.d.). Section 1. developing a logic model or theory of change. Chapter 2. Other Models for Promoting Community Health and Development | Section 1. Developing a Logic Model or Theory of Change | Main Section | Community Tool Box. https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/overview/models-for-community-health-and-development/logic-model-development/main

Biography 272: Majo Khala (My aunt, maternal)

 Majo Khala was my mom's second sister. My mom is in third place among sisters. My grandparents' maternal looks were very different. My grandma was a small, dark-skinned woman, and my grandpa was a tall, fair-skinned man. Mejo Khala was a small and dark-skinned woman, and my mom was fair and tall. My mom said that when people come to choose a bride, they often select my mom instead of mejo khala. It's a South Asian tradition that boys' parents visit the girl's home to see the girl, and if they like her, then the marriage proposal begins.

My older aunt (my mother's older sister) said mejo khala had a very cute face and dark curly hair, like a flower. But South Asian grooms like fair skin. So, my grandparents faced lots of problems for her marriage. So, when a rich family wanted to marry her, our grandparents became very happy and, like other parents, made a big mistake. They were pleased that they had got a groom from a big family, so didn't care to look for more information about the groom. So, in the end, my mejo khala suffered.

In South Asia, all families wanted their bride to work at home for everyone and take care of everything. They don't help her. They believe it's her duty, and she should be happy that she could become a bride of that family. People will be happy to see a mother holding a baby and doing work. No one will go and help her by holding the baby or doing the work.

Mejo khala had 2 sons and 2 daughters. Her daughters were twins. After having a baby, she couldn't find the time to care for her baby. She had to cook for the whole family. The babies used to cry all day. In the rain, they cry and try to crawl on mud to come to their mom. This is how one of my baby daughters became very sick and finally died.

My mejo khala couldn't take this anymore. She cried to her parents. Our grandparents took her back home. I must say they made a very strong decision about their daughter. In South Asia, parents never like to take their daughters back, no matter how much a girl suffers. She had to live with their in-laws.

Majo Khala started living with her parents, and no one in society liked that. Her own siblings also hurt her many times through words. But she was a quite nice lady by nature. She silently stayed and kept helping her parents and, many times, her siblings.

When I was born, my older sister became very sick. Doctors didn't have hope that she would be alive. My parents did everything that anyone suggested. In that situation, my mother didn't have time to look after me. So, my mojo khala came to our house and took care of me and the family. My mother said she couldn't save any of the girls if her sister didn't hold everything in strong hand and take care of me.

Later, she came to visit our house many times. She always brought homemade Bangladesh cake (Pitha) and fruits from her garden. Sometimes, she tried to make jokes with me, but I never understood them and became angry. I thought she was making fun of me.

She liked very spicy food. When she cooked, we had to remind her not to add spice.

When her older son started sending her money from Saudi Arabia, where he used to work, she became delighted. She started lending money to others. Everybody asked her to save money for her future.

She has been staying with her second son in the last few days. I pray to Allah to forgive her and give her Jannat, give her a peaceful after life.