From a Seed
Kadija Hayir: 'A Somali woman leader, Cultivates Her Garden and Her Community

Kadija Hayir is an active parent in the Lawrence Heights Community. She is involved in her children’s schools, in community family gardens and in facilitating parent groups for the “Connecting Families” parent, children and teen’s education and support program of Family Service Toronto. I am fascinated how people can choose to turn a vulnerable and intimidating situation, such as coming to a new country, into something optimistic, not only for herself but for other people too. Kadija’s story clearly shows a woman who understands the power of developing a strong community. When I sat down with Kadija to talk about her life experience and how she got to where she is, I realized every small step she made opened up huge doors for herself and her community. Here is my interview with Kadija.

When did you come to Canada?

I left Somalia because of the civil war. I moved to Canada on International Women’s Day on March 8, 1994. I chose Canada because I had family there. But before Canada, I lived in Denmark for 2 years.

How did you prepare yourself for moving to a new country?

While in Denmark, I met a wise Somali woman, named Hawa, who was older than me. She said, in your new country there are some things you will need to do differently. She said, “Make sure you do not let your husband have complete control of the TV remote control, rather, we must share the remote control, because as soon as you let your husband have full control, you will never get it back. And this is not good for you, your husband or your community”.

What did she mean by that?

She meant that I will always be Somali and my culture is very strong and I love it, but in my new country, as a woman, I need to define myself and make a mark. Women can change a community, but if we are stuck in our houses, isolated from each other, we cannot. Back home the sense of community is different and I knew that if I reached out to get to know how the Canadian communities work and if I tried new things, I could make a difference by becoming involved and included. I knew that I needed to take the initiative to adapt and learn new skills so that I could have a voice at my children’s local school and in the community.

So what was the first thing you did in Canada?

I knew communication is very important. Hawa, my elder from Denmark, told me “language…. you must learn the language.” I knew some English and I was better at writing in English. So my sister, Ramla, advised me to participate in the “Self-Direct Literacy Program”. I learned computer skills and developed self-confidence. Alimamy Bangura, who ran the program, encouraged me to be part of the program, so I volunteered as the receptionist. I knew giving back to programs would create a beautiful flow and always lead me somewhere. And it did. Then, in 1996, my cousin, Maryan Bihi told me about the Academic Bridging Program at George Brown College. This is a very important program for ELS students who want to go to college. I know how important education is in the long term.

Did you know what you wanted to study?

Well, I realized I could not practice my profession as an Agronomist, where I received a degree at the Somali National University. In Somalia, the jobs are government-owned, but here Agronomy is in the public sector and farms are mostly corporate-run. I knew I had to change careers. I have always connected easily with people. And I found myself wanting to reach out to people. I realized Somali’s were displaced in Canada. We are the first generation coming to Canada. People came before, but only for education and tourism. I knew my people were unsettled and dispersed because of the civil war and we needed to build a strong and healthy community in Canada. It is a lot like growing a healthy garden.

Where were you living at the time? Was there a Somali community?

I was living in Scarborough. There were hardly any Somali stores or restaurants close to us. I had two children during this time, a daughter in 1995 and a son in 1997. I wanted something more for my family and this is when I realized I wanted to do community work. So, in 1998, I enrolled in George Brown’s Community Worker Program.

How did you find your community, Lawrence Heights?

At George Brown, I had to choose a placement and I saw there was a job posting to work with East Africans in Lawrence Heights at New Heights Community Health Centre. It was exciting to find a Somali community in Canada. Although the community was struggling, I felt a part of something. The centre was doing really great work. My mother, Maryan, knew we had to move to this community. She knew it was not good for us to be alone in Scarborough, so we moved to Lawrence Heights after I graduated in 2000.

What did you do after your degree? Did you start off as a community worker?

No, I worked as a school bus driver and then I worked as a medical receptionist in Century Rehabilitation Centre. Although these jobs were not what I wanted to do, I did them because I know keeping active will always lead somewhere. At The Rehab Centre, I found out about another agency, Across Boundaries. They had a job as a family support worker and I got it. Martha Ocampo and Aseefa Sarang, my managers of Across Boundaries were very supportive and encouraging. I felt like I had met people who understood want I wanted for communities. Across Boundaries asked me to run a group for Somali families on Dixon Rd. I could have done this, but I said I would like to run a group right in my own neighbourhood, Lawrence Heights. And so I did.

Was this the job that opened all kinds of doors?

It is hard to say which job did; they all led somewhere and got me through to the next piece. Everything started to take off. I love learning from people and exchanging ideas with families. I drew strength from other East African community workers, such as Paulos Gebreyesus, who works at New Heights; we shared a similar vision for East Africans in Canada. I found my niche.

I know a lot of people who come to Canada cannot practice their previous profession, as you are not able to, but it often shows itself in other ways.

Has your passion for agronomy and gardening come alive in Canada?

While I was working at Across Boundaries in 2002, I was taking my children to a Saturday program at the Lawrence Heights Community Centre. I had another baby in 2002 and held her in my arms. I looked out the window and saw beautiful swiss chard growing in the community garden. I approached Helen Kennedy, the head of the community centre, and asked her if I could have a family plot to grow a garden. Some other families also requested space. Helen, who understands the spirit of community, jumped on board with her dynamic energy and made it happen. I offered to help coordinate and provide gardening support. Helen Kennedy hired me as the Community Garden Coordinator. During harvest time, people started to notice our bounty of organic okra, peppers, onions, tomatoes and more.

Did this remind you of your previous life in Somalia, as an agronomist?

Yes, back in Somalia I used to organize and support small farmers and bee-keeping. In Canada, I was now back in my element.

Did the community respond to the gardening?

On Saturdays, all the mothers would be in the gardens picking vegetables, while their children played in a wonderful basketball program, run by an energizing local parent Abdi Mohamoud. Abdi initiated and organizes a powerful sports program every weekend for the community. The Somali community felt alive. Later that same day we would get together; kids would play while we would laugh, cook food and eat a big meal together at somebody’s house. Eventually word got out and more families wanted plots of land. Domenic Brizzi, the community health worker of the Toronto Community Housing Centre helps all community residents anyway he can. He immediately found us space in four different community corners. I coordinated one corner of ground for gardening. It changed our community in every way – green, healthy, lively… looking out for each other and working together.

I know you also play a very active role in Flemington Public School. Can you tell me how you got involved?
In 2001, I went to a parent council meeting and we were handed volunteer forms. I wanted to learn so I thought I would offer help in the classroom as opposed to just field trips or lunchroom help. So I asked my child’s teacher, Ms. Christine d’Avernas, if I could volunteer in her class. She suggested I start the “Reading Recovery” program and encourage children to read in class. I was developing skills. It was so exciting. I was working with small groups of children practicing reading. The principal at the time, Ms. Barbara Taylor, was outspoken and made a huge impression on me. She made herself accessible to every family and child. As well, Ms. d’Avernas taught me the importance of teaching children independence.. Ms. Taylor and Ms. d’Avernas assigned me to the student lounge. I was working with small groups of children in kindergarten. It was because of the door that Principal Ms. Taylor and Ms. d’Avernas opened for me initially at Flemington Public School that I was later able to provide emergency supply teaching for several schools in the community. Principals, teachers and parents working together will build a stronger school community. Ms. d’Avernas actually sits in on our Connecting Fmailies program to respond to any concerns parents may have about school. When a principal or teacher opens the door and is accessible to parents, parents will get involved.

You are so full of vibrancy. Do you want to follow up on your group work in the community?

I found the group work so engaging. In 2002, Helen Kennedy, at the Community Centre thought it would be good to run an East African Group and approached me to coordinate a group called, Women on the Move. It was an exercise class. We all loved it. Later I led another group called, Mothers and Daughters. In 2007, I also started working at St. Michael Hospital in the research department as a research coordinator for the Rapid Assessment Project & Region Park Revitilization Project. My manager, Masood Zangeneh, was very supportive and understood the importance of flexible hours for family life.

How did you get involved with Family Service Toronto and the “Connecting Families” program?

I met up again with Alimamy Bangura and he believed in me and asked me if I would like to be part of the FST COPE training program. The COPE Program evolved and is now known as the Connecting Families Program. The change in the name of this program is more reflective of what we are trying to do: developing connections within the family, building connections between families and creating connections of families to their local community. So in 2007, I took the training and became a parent facilitator. We have been running groups in Lawrence Heights at Flemington School, at the TCHC centre at 10 Old Meadow Lane and the Community Centre. Connecting with families in my community to discuss and exchange ideas and experience family life together has created a forum for all of us to grow together. The “Connecting Families” program involves and collaborates with parent leaders in the community so that it is reflective and responsive to the needs of each local community.

We also collaborate with other community programs such as New Heights, Barbara Frum Library, Frontier College and Public Health, where we share our wealth of experience. I have also worked with other communities, running programs in Rexdale and Jane and Finch. Sharing ideas and resources between communities and agencies creates possibility and potential. I am now going to be training other community parents to become parent facilitators as part of the “Train-the-Trainer” program of “Connecting Families”. A circle will complete itself. I am looking forward to training and once again building more strength in the community.

How do you juggle everything?

In the community I don’t try to do everything. I want to involve everybody and when you do this, your load is lighter because everything just starts going around and new people bring new energy and ideas to the community. There are many dedicated leaders in our community. I think back to what Hawa, the wise elder told me. And she was right. I needed to do things differently in Canada, but my goals never changed. I want to be part of a community that is strong and vibrant and that’s what we are doing in Lawrence Heights and in other communities… I am helping other parents take on a leadership role and showing them ways to have a voice in their community.

Gillian, Frise, M.Ed.
COPE Outreach Coordinator
FS Toronto

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