MEDA convention goers sported beautiful tote bags in Toronto, purchased from a Toronto firm, Haween. Each of the green bags carried the hopes of Somali families now living in Canada.
With roots in a faraway place, 'Haween' comes from the Somali word for women, and the business employs new Canadians who have participated in training programs and social support through a sister organization. But don't think of Haween is anything but strictly business; it just brings a unique collective cultural attitude to how it regards its people and their skills.
The Somali Women and Children's Support Network is a community-based organization that provides services to immigrant women and children and seeks to foster leadership skills and encourage women towards self-sufficiency. The organization tackles issues of access to “mainstream” services, encouraging an open dialogue. In so doing, the community’s unique needs can be expressed and important qualities and characteristics can be shared. Similarly, the community can interrelate with the larger community in a mutually supportive fashion.
Its services reflect the diversity of the community as they strive to encourage mutual support and build strong interrelationships.
Visit www.haween.com to learn more.
