This week was very exciting as I had the opportunity to engage in two impactful site visits. The first was at the Chai Gathering for women in Tung Chung, an initiative that deeply resonated with me after learning about the different programs provided by the organization. I particularly liked the program’s commitment to supporting ethnic minority women. 

I found that ethnic minority women require robust support, hence I thought that this initiative serves as a stepping stone for the women to reach out for help or begin to integrate themselves within the community, 

Every Tuesday, they host gatherings for women to enjoy activities together and destress whilst making friends living in the same neighborhood. This particular session was focused on mindful eating - by experimenting with two similar-tasting foods and guessing the foods they have tasted - which allows them to be aware of their five senses and mindful of the food they consume in day to day life. Throughout the session, I felt engaged and fulfilled. It felt nice knowing that we were able to provide a safe space for them to try something new and gain knowledge. 

The operations director highlighted that Tung Chung is an area that is lacking in resources and community support, which led to initiating these sessions, primarily aimed at women living in public housing, as they may not have the funds to engage in paid activities or may face language barriers when joining initiatives run by other organizations. One remarkable strength of The Zubin Foundation is that they really tailor their support and meet the needs of the people in the community. For example, the organizers of the event spoke Hindi and Urdu to better cater to the participants and ensure inclusivity. While I could not connect with all of the participants on a personal level, I felt a strong sense of community. 

The second activity I took part in was not an official activity, but interaction with children with special educational needs in between their counseling sessions. Another pillar of the organization’s work aims to help children and elderly. Their ethnic minority well-being center in Austin serves many different groups, one of its focus being children with special educational needs. Prior to meeting two of the children, I heard about their background and interests. Despite having communication barriers, we found common ground through play, using legos and simple words to bridge the gap. One child liked playing with legos, and the other child liked to run around. Both children opened up once we started doing their favorite activities, and wanted to stay outside longer before going for their counseling session. While speaking with the psychologist and operations director, I learnt that the organization has been wanting to expand their reach to the siblings of children with special educational needs. This niche group is often overlooked because of their siblings, however it is important to recognize their social and emotional needs for holistic family support. 

Not only within the Opportunity Bank team, but after taking part in activities for other groups, I was able to learn more about the different pillars of their work. Each experience reinforced the importance of community engagement, and the impact we can have on the lives of different individuals.