Quick Escape 
As a part of the Hamilton Fringe Festival, residents of our Transitional Living Program (TLP), invite you to join them for a night of songs, dance and stories!
An original play written by the residents, “Ushindi: When We Are Welcome” shares a unique perspective of newcomers and refugee women and gender-diverse people coming from Africa to Canada. They have stories of resilience, finding community in Canada and funny encounters to share – like learning how to order a coffee from Tim Hortons!
Swahili for “victory”, the Ushindi collective started as an idea at a holiday dinner organized for TLP residents. Paula Grove, Peer Support Worker, TLP, shares “I was moved by their joy – they sang and danced and shared their beautiful music and inspiring songs. It was really, really joyful considering all the obstacles they might be facing in life. Their sense of community and encouraging each other and faith, their faith, their optimism, their determination is very moving. That made me think these stories are beautiful and they are worth telling.”
The Ushindi Collective consists of TLP residents Miriam Karuga, Faith Kimari, Monica Karogo, Everlyne Kiprono, Margaret Muchinia, Mary Ndiritu, Caroline Okumu, Moud Runoziveyi with creative help from Paula Grove, Catherine Graham, and Ron Weihs.
The performers shared in their respective cultures, they have community and ‘aunties’ helping them through life. However, coming to Canada – without anyone to guide them, can be daunting. Miriam Karuga, one of the performers, says “The story in Ushindi play motivates me because it is my story being a refugee woman from Africa and trying to settle in Canada. The best part is actually the whole play being my story and also the memories of aunties helping back home.”
Without giving away any spoilers, Paula shared “the play illustrates the contrast between life in Africa and life in Hamilton, Canada. The residents share the ways that they’ve discovered ‘aunties’ in Canada, but they are not necessarily humans. For example, they call newcomer service providers their aunties and they call the YWCA an auntie”.
The TLP residents have been rehearsing throughout June and July to bring their stories to you.
On why people should come to the play, Paula shares “the performers are such lovely and talented people and their cultures are so rich…they have so much to contribute to Canada. It’s very moving for Canadians to realize that they [newcomers and refugee women and gender-diverse residents at TLP] see Canada as their Mama – that Canada is welcoming them. It’s very moving”.
“People should be aware of what immigrants go through, so they can be of help when they can, so they can be an “auntie”” Miriam smiles. She further notes “the play is an eye opener about a woman who is lost, has guts to move out of her home to a strange land, fights her way through all odds and finally USHINDI”!
Do not miss out on “Ushindi: When We Are Welcome”! Join the Ushindi Collective for a night and a performance to remember. Get your tickets here.