Trustee - Sharpen Her Founder- People of Colour in Education (POCE) Talks about Wednesday Social.
Hello, my name is Priscilla Mandona, and this is my SHAWN Story. I met Angie in the spring of 2023 which is quite shocking to put to paper because it feels like I have known her my whole life. We met at a Gambian event, and I remember thinking that is some lady. And ever since then we have been in each other’s lives almost on a daily basis. She introduced me to SHAWN, and I had never in my life thought that there was a network of women that gave a safe space to be yourself. I started attending the Wednesday night social evenings since March and I have not looked back. From the first meeting there was a presence of inclusiveness that came with no judgment which meant safe space. I could be me amongst fellow women. We have had such rich and powerful conversations that have enriched my life and transformed my confidence and the way I think. I could not write about all the sessions that would require a book in its own right, however I will share a few. Underwear is something African women don't usually talk about. It’s almost a taboo. Most of us didn’t know that we could be measured for the perfect comfort fit and have been wearing bras that dig into us almost giving us heart attacks. However, there was this brilliant lady that taught us how we can measure ourselves without even going to a store. AMAZING! When people say the little things…. In fact, they are the big things I have been able to breath since then as I have finally purchased the right fit for me. Children. Being a parent is a humongous task. But on a Wednesday night a safe space is available to discuss issues that arise as a parent, and we seek and advise each other on potential ways forward on what worked for you and what worked for me. Recently we have been talking and sharing stories on domestic violence and learning and asking each other what to look for and what we can do to be advocates and for anyone going through this kind of harm. We also have evenings where there is no theme and we can just hang about as women to let go of the week’s woes and just be us, which is a God send for mental wellbeing, something to look forward to, so precious. That is a drop of flavour on Wednesdays. There is so much more. I have had the pleasure to collaborate with SHAWN on various projects currently the New Scots Buddying Projects and am so excited to see the work being done and how its sharpening and uplifting lives. I have been encouraged to move forward with the work of running my own organisation through the mentorship that I have received as part of Sharpen Her. My organisation, People of Colour in Education (POCE), researches the experiences of black people in education and we advocate on their behalf and educate them on their rights. As of the last AGM, I have been nominated onto the board of Sharpen Her.
