Leading art and craft workshops for Muskhil Aasaan, a Tooting-based charity, has been an immensely fulfilling experience. I had the privilege of working with two groups: the elderly women on one day and children on the other.
With Ramadan approaching, the workshop series were themed around this festive occasion. It was particularly gratifying for me to draw upon my cultural heritage from growing up in India, which is not an opportunity I often have. We explored Islamic art traditions during these sessions, and for the first time, I was able to use my knowledge of Indian languages to communicate effectively with the participants, which added an extra layer of enjoyment to the experience. While some of the ladies initially had reservations, they quickly warmed up to the activities, and I found myself pleasantly challenged trying to keep pace with their enthusiasm and creativity.