When you bring a group of newcomers to Canada together, and language could be a barrier, what do you?
The Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium found some solutions at their recent Family Fun event on September 28.
When families first arrived at the event, they were asked to show on a map of the world where they were born, and from that exercise we learned that we had 17 countries represented at the event and a total of 75 people participating.
To get the children involved, we had Steph Dean from Shake it Off Studio lead them in Zumba – and some adults joined in as well. It was such fun as the children danced to the music. No language was needed, they just followed Steph’s lead.
Then there was the henna and face painting which again did not involve much conversation, more pointing at what the participants wanted.
Immigration Services, the Arab Women’s Society and the City of Guelph were involved to share resources and information to the families who were provided with an information bag. The Children’s Reading Room also gave away free books to the children there.
Refreshments were provided by Rotary member Sharron Riley Persson as well as the SEED which is also based at Shelldale where the event was held.
And to wrap it up, like all parties, the families were given goodie bags to take home, full of contents that had been donated by local companies, like Mr. Kettle Corn who gave bags of popcorn.
All told it was a great event and our thanks to all involved. It truly takes a village.
In the photo from left to right is Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium President Anne Day, Anne McKay(Wellington Hospice), Trevor Barton (Enabling Garden), Lawrence Lutgendoff (Alzheimer's Society), Lynda Abshoff (Brain Injury Association), Lindsay Sprague (Sanguen Health), Kevin Coghill (Royal City Mission), Leslie Fisher (Guelph Dance), Jannette TenHag (Rotary Club of Guelph Trillium Allocations Committee Co-Chair)
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Service Above Self
Guelph, ON
Canada