Responsibility attracts me

Situation 1:

 I was working with Election SK as an information officer. I arrived at my designated voting place a little early to set up my workstation. I found that my colleagues had also arrived on time, meaning a little early. Everyone met and created a friendly environment.

In the meantime, an older man arrived. He was responsible for the building authority. He came to help us set up the voting place. He came up to me and said, "I assume you are the manager by watching your work, so let's discuss some formal issues."

I smiled and told him, no I am not the manager. But I can help him as much as possible. Then I took him to the manager.

Situation 2:

I worked at McDonald's as a crew member. I worked at the front, taking orders, making coffee, setting up front stations for tea, coffee, and other items, helping clients place their orders, and, if there were delays, contacting the back kitchen to resolve issues. Sometimes, clients also suggested that others contact me with their problems, and they had faith that I would do something for them. I always tried.

A guy came and said, I assume you are the manager, judging by the way you are dressed and how you are managing everything. So, I need to discuss a couple of things about this branch. I replied that I am not, but I can ask the manager to contact you.

Situation 3:

I was studying at the University of Dhaka. My older sister had been admitted to the same university 3 years earlier. Then I joined. One day, I came home early. My father asked me where my sister was. I said I didn't know. My parents knew we were in different departments, but my dad still got angry with me. He said I should take care of my sister. How could I just leave her alone at the university? I started thinking, who was supposed to take care of whom? But our departments were in different locations, so it was impossible to track each other's positions back then. We didn't have cell phones.

Nowadays, I am trying to change my attitude. Let's not take any responsibility and enjoy relaxing time. Let's try.

MULTICULTURAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (MLC)

 MULTICULTURAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (MLC)

What Is MLC?

The MLC is an advisory group designed to bring a more diverse cultural perspective to the community. 

The Saskatoon Open Door Society is committed to enhancing the experience of newcomers to Saskatoon, and strives to create an environment that reflects the multicultural nature of the city’s demographic with a positive and effective tool.

The MLC consists of graduates from the LACE (Leadership and Community Engagement) program. These participants have received specialized training focused on community leadership and engagement and have a strong commitment to representing the multicultural voice in the community.

The Vision: 

The MLC will be a strong voice in the growth, development, support and education of the community.

The Mission:

The MLC is a diverse team dedicated to sharing the immigrant/refugee perspective with the community to advocate and promote diversity and cultural awareness.

The Role:

The Multicultural Leadership Council will serve as an advisory board for the community. Members will be able to provide a cultural perspective on civic matters including those that focus on police, housing, transportation, education and others. They will also be available to attend meetings and provide presentations to those groups interested in learning more about the immigrant experience. 

The Multicultural Leadership Council will also work to strengthen their leadership skills by way of continued learning, and expand their network by attending community events and forums.

The Values:

Respect: MLC will be sensitive to the diversity of cultures and traditions as it builds relationships through recognition, acceptance, open-mindedness and equality.

Innovation: MLC aims to find new ideas and progressive approaches in establishing and building relationships with our stakeholders to foster growth.

Commitment: MLC will honor and respect the cultures and traditions of our diverse community.

Professionalism: MLC will conduct itself with trust, integrity and responsible leadership.

Teamwork: MLC will collaborate and work together to achieve common goals through flexibility, sensitivity, and tolerance.

MLC Mottos and Meetings:

The MLC will determine a motto annually to inspire and motivate their work. They will meet on a regular basis to plan activities and learning opportunities. The Saskatoon Open Door Society’s Cultural Bridging and Community Engagement team will collaborate with the MLC to ensure that these goals are achieved.

What are the differences between LACE Alumni and MLC? 

LACE Alumni vs MLC

Lace Alumni have completed a 6 month training series that focused on skill development and education MLC is a continuous process with a solid work plan, hands-on learning and community representation 

LACE alumni do more social projects focusing on networking, community events    MLC represents the immigrant community and gets involved in various community and civic events, forums, “think tanks”  

LACE alumni meets about every 3 months Meets on a regular basis (possibly monthly)

Participation in LACE alumni activities is voluntary. Commitment is necessary part of MLC program and activities

LACE Alumni creates activities based on Alumni interests. MLC bases activities on the needs of community. 

LACE is open to any newcomer to apply MLC members must be graduates of LACE and completed all sessions. 

We are very interested in your opinion, thoughts and feedback. Please take a few minutes to answer the following questions:

1. Are you interested in being a member of the Multicultural Leadership Council (MLC)?

Ans: Yes.

 

2. Part of the MLC requires some collaboration with local NGOs and government committees. Do you feel this is important? Would you welcome this involvement? 

Ans: Yes, It is important, and I welcome this involvement.

3. MLC will serve as an advisory board for the community. You may be asked to attend meetings and provide presentations to groups interested in learning more about the immigrant experience. Do you think you can provide a cultural perspective on a variety of topics? (Obviously not everyone is comfortable with public speaking. Research and support are also important aspects of the MLC.)

Ans: If I have anything to add, yes, of course. I’d like to contribute.

4. Are you willing to engage with the community to build awareness about the benefits of cultural diversity and the dangers of racism and xenophobia?

Ans: Yes.

5. What resources would help you fulfill your role as a member of the MLC? (ie., webinars, training, practice)

Ans: All, according to its needs.

6. Do you have any suggestions for a “starting point” or organization you would like to look into for sharing a cultural perspective on an issue?

Ans:  One issue might be securing a job in Canada based on their education and experience. Almost all immigrants face this challenge.

7. Do you have any suggestions or thoughts you would like to share at this time?

Ans: Right now, only online communication is safe for all.

Biography 304: My Boro Khala (Aunt) - Criticism

 One day, I made something to eat. It wasn't good. I knew my family would strongly criticize me. They were doing that. Boro Khala came and tasted it. Then she said, "It is good, just got burnt at the edge, otherwise, it is cooked well."

That made me feel good. I realize you can point out a mistake without hurting others.

Biography 300: resume

 When I first created my resume, it only included my educational background. Later, when I was attempting to switch jobs, I updated my resume to include all my work experience, which made it quite lengthy. Currently, I have a resume with Canadian work experience that spans three pages. Still, I feel I haven't expressed myself enough. However, in Canada, the ideal resume is typically one page.

Biography 299: My passport-sized picture in Grade 10

I am in grade 10

 It is very difficult to take a good picture of me. I somehow manage to take a selfie, but others don't know how to make me look a little better. In most cases, they took very bad pictures of me. So, I told everyone, don't take my picture.

In Bangladesh, we need to register for the SSC exam (grade 10). I tried to give my picture, which I had taken in grade 8. On those days (at grade 10), I had just started wearing hijab. Our school headmistress asked me to take a new picture with a hijab. Later, I heard she asked my classmates and class teachers what happened to me. Why I suddenly started wearing hijab. Did my boy hurt me? Or anything else? She directly asked me too. I answered the truth, and I assumed she didn't believe me.

Then, I took a passport-size picture at Mugda Para photo studio. But that didn't look good. Then I went to a Bashabo photo studio. That didn't come well at all. All the time, my father was with me. Next, my dad took me to an Arambaag studio. They took a very good picture of me. I have used that picture even after the completion of my master's degree to get a job. In Bangladesh, people need to include a picture with their resume. In Canada, never add a picture with your job application.

Biography 262: Run Away

 I ran away from home once. I was in primary school. On that day, my mom beat me up heavily. My mom believes in beating up her children. Not for their fault, for her mood. If she was angry, then for any reason, she used to beat me up. I was a kid, too, so I also made mistakes and got beaten up for that, too. Moreover, I was my mom's least favourite child, so for anything, I got beaten up. It was happening almost every day.

One day I fed up. Decided to run away from this home. In those days, we lived in a rented house in Dhaka. I only knew the path to another house was my grandparents (Paternal). In those days, my uncle (My father's older brother) used to live there. So, the only home I could go to was my uncle's house.

At noon, my mom was taking a power nap. I decided to go out, but I was terrified, so I took my younger sister Sonia with me. I asked her if she would go to my uncle's house with me, and she agreed. We both slowly opened the door and started walking.

It wasn't that close; we had to walk a lot. She was enjoying walking. Then my sleeper broke apart. But somehow, I managed to walk to our uncle's house.

Our uncle was surprised. He asked where are your parents? We always went there with our parents. I told him I ran away. I am beaten up every day; I am tired of this situation. My uncle and aunt were shocked, but they said no worries, stay with your cousins (their children). My aunt said, my children do many things like that, but I never beat them up every day; this is not good. My uncle sends his older son Mohin to inform our home.

Later, I heard that our home didn't notice that we were not there. My mom found the door open. She thought we had gone outside to play. We used to go to the nearby playground in the afternoon. When Mohin Bro informed my mom, she first said, "You took them." But she gradually understood and came to pick us up later with my dad.

I'm really sorry, Mohin, bro, for getting in trouble with us. He was always such a good big brother.

When my parents came, I was scared, but my mom said nothing to us. With a smile, she took both of us. Then, for a couple of days, she was better with me, but again, she became the same.

When they came to take us, we were eating watermelon at our uncle's house. Sonia said later that it was too good, too sweet. Even she thought our mom should come a little late so that she could eat more.

After some years, one of my aunts (Maternal) told me. My uncle felt very sorry because of my mother's attitude toward me. The way she always beat me up, even in front of everyone. My uncle told my aunt at home that he felt he should bring me to his house by force from my mom and keep me away from her. I said, it's OK.

Beating up children is very natural in Bangladesh.

Biography 255: My mom

 My mom is a workaholic woman. And she likes to work fast. She worked full-time. More than full-time, there are always extra hours with or without payment. And she still managed to work at home. She did everything she did alone: House cleaning, cooking, doing the dishes, inviting people at home, and making food for them.

It's not that she doesn't want help, but none of us could work up to the mark for her. If we do anything, that makes her more crazy. So, I decided not to work or help her, as it wasn't working. If I don't do anything, she will say, no one is helping me. If I do anything, she will find 500 more faults to accuse me of and scold me for the rest of my life.

Many times, if a guest came to our home without any notification (on those days, cell phones weren't available), my mom made a full meal for them (Polao rice, curry, salad, etc.) within an hour. Even guests were surprised to learn how she did it all alone in one hour.

Now a day, she doesn't have the strength to work like that. But still, she works as much as she can, then rests in bed.

Though I always kept some distance from her to avoid making her angry, I helped her as much as possible with distance. I used to put all our wet clothes on the roof and bring those back (from level 2nd to level 6th by stairs with a bucket of clothes), go to the nearby grocery shop to get anything emergency (mostly eggs for father), pay bills to the bank, tried to give her some pocket money, giving gifts.

But it was impossible to make her happy with gifts. No matter what I bought, she didn't like that. So, I always bought gifts in a way that if she didn't like them, then I could use them. Let me give you an example. On her birthday I bought a pair of slippers. She said she won't take it. So, I started wearing it. One day, she said, you bought a beautiful one for yourself and gave a bad one to me. I reminded her that it was actually for her, but she rejected it. 

If I give them money, she doesn't spend it on herself; she saves it and spends it on her children when needed.

After school, she never took money from her parents. She always earned money and gave it to them to help their lives. Then, this expanded to her families, her in-laws, poor people from the village, poor people from the city, orphanages, etc.

Travel plan

 When any person or from a group of people offers me to join them on a tour, I agree and join them in most cases. Things are getting changed now. Recently, I have asked other people to let me join them whenever they plan to travel where I can fit in or request people to join my travel plan. In most cases, they denied or didn't show any interest.

I may have to travel alone. That could be the new reality. Being alone isn't bad, but feeling lonely is a bad thing. I am working on it. I am becoming used to being alone.

The Power Flower

 

This power flower shows that I have about 50% power in society. Not bad.

Biography 04: Names

 

I have born in Springtime. In Bangladesh, during Spring Shimul flower or Bombax ceiba commonly known as cotton flower blooms. This is a big tree and the flower’s colour is red. When the flower blooms no leaf stays and you can see only red. Later flowers produce cotton. Which used for making cushion locally.

 

Maybe on the basis of that my mom (May be) kept my name Shimul. Still, my family and relatives call me with this name. In my first passport, my name was Shimul Sultana. Later my youngest grandfather (Maternal, my mom’s youngest uncle) give me a new name “Shahana”. So, then I became Shahana Sultana. If I translate this name, it will be “Queen Princess”. This name didn’t continue for long. Before I get admitted to grade two in Bangladesh, my mom did the final change. She added my father’s name to me. So, from then I became Shahana Shafiuddin.

Having control over food

I like food. But I always try to have control on it. Like I drink two cups of tea daily. It doesn’t mean I don’t want to take more, but you know, I can’t make it as an addiction. Sometimes I drink coffee. Again, not more than one cup/mug in a day. My home country is Bangladesh. So, obviously my main food is rice. But I take it in certain amount and once in a day.

I break this food rule only in Eid days. On those days, I just eat, as much as I want… so, whole year, I wait for Eid days.

নাচ (Dance)

শুনেছি, ছোট বেলায় নাকি খুব লাফালাফি করতাম, এই দেখে আমার বড় মামা আম্মাকে বলেছিলেন, "একে নাচ শিখাইয়িস". আম্মা প্রথমে বাংলাদেশ শিশু একাডেমিতে এরপর বাফা (বুলবুল ললিত কলা একাডেমি) তে নাচের ক্লাসে ভর্তি করিয়ে দিলেন. নৃত্য শিল্পী বানানোর উদ্দেশ্যে নয়, ছোট বেলার সখ পুরন করার জন্য. নাচে ভালো করার ফলে আম্মা বাড়িতে ওস্তাদ রেখে দিয়েছিলেন, আরো ভাল করার জন্য. আধুনিক নাচ ছাড়াও মনিপুরি আর কথক শিখছিলাম.

এই একটা বিষয়ে আমি কোন রকম চেষ্টা ছাড়াই ভাল করেছিলাম. তবে কোন কিছুইতেই অধ্যাবসায় ছাড়া চূড়ান্ত ফল লাভ করা যায়না. যা বোঝার বয়স আমার তখনও হয়নি. ক্লাস ৪/৫ (ঠিক মনে নেই) থাকতে আম্মা নাচ শেখানো বন্ধ করে দিলেন. আমি ৪ বছর নাচ শিখেছিলাম. এসময় নানা কম্পিটিশনে জিতে কয়েকটা মেডেল আর ট্রফি বাসায় আনতে পেরেছিলাম. একবার বিটিভির একটা অনুষ্ঠানে নিচেও ছিলাম, অডিশন দিয়ে টিকে.

নাচ শেখা বন্ধ করলেও নানা অনুষ্ঠানে এরপরও নাচতে হয়েছিল. শেষ স্টেজ পারফরমান্স করেছিলাম স্কুলে, ক্লাস ৮ এ. বড়দের ফেয়ারঅয়েল দেয়ার সময়.

অফিসিয়ালি নাচ বন্ধ করলেও আমার এজন্য মন খারাপ ছিলোনা. কারন একটু খুশি হলেই আমি নিজে নিজে নিজের ঘরে নাচতাম. পরবর্তিতে আত্নীয় আর বান্ধবীদেরও নাচ দেখিয়েছি :) নতুন জামা বা গয়না পরলেও আয়নার সামনে দাড়িয়ে একটু নেচে নিতাম.

কিন্তু জীবন তো আর এতো আনন্দের নয়. নানা কারনে ধীরে ধীরে নাচা একেবারে বন্ধ হয়ে গেল. আমার ছেলে আমার নাচ দেখেনি. ও জানেনা ওর মা নাচতে জানে বা কেমন নাচে. স্কুলের নাচের পরীক্ষায় ও যখন এ++ পায়, ওর মা কত খুশি হয় সেটাও বোঝেনা.

আজ কেন জানি একজনের সাথে নাচতে ইচ্ছে হলো, সেকি নাচতে জানে? মনে তো হয় না :)

I have heard, in my childhood, I use to jump and run a lot. That's why once my elder uncle (maternal) said to my mom, "You should teach this girl dance". My mom admitted me in Bangladesh Shishu Academy and BAFA (Bulbul Lolitkola Academy) in dance class. As I was doing good, she kept a master at home too. Apart modern dance, I use to dance Kathak and Monipury. My mother's intention was to teach me dance as a hobby not to take it as a profession.

I can proudly say, only in this subject I was very good without any effort. But nothing can be successful without good effort and I was too young to understand that. When I was in class 4/5 (I don't remember), my mom stopped teaching me dance. I got training on dance for 4 years. In this time I had attended some competition and got some medals and crests. After selecting by an audition I had performed on a BTV program once.

Though I had stopped learning dance, I didn't get upset about it. Because for small reasons I use to dance in my room in front of mirror. I have shown my dance to my relatives and friends too. Whenever I got any new dress or ornaments I use to wear it and dance in front of my mirror.

But you know, life is not a bed of roses, gradually I stopped dancing totally. My son never saw me dancing. He doesn't know that his mom can dance, or how I dance. He doesn't know how his mom became so happy when at school he got A++ in the dance subject.

Don't know why, now a day I wish to dance with someone. Does they know dancing too? Don't think so...