5 Minutes with: Selwa Al-Abdali
Selwa invited us to her second home, ZAD, and provided stories and nourishment and refreshed us with her enthusiasm and passion for community growth and empowerment. Her concern for the community and invigoration in seeing it rehabilitate from the destruction of the pandemic is uplifting and can inspire anyone.
Selwa extends her hospitality to anyone who would like a coffee or a chat or some delicious food to come visit her at ZAD Foundation cafe at 213 Eversholt Street, London, NW1 1DE
We spoke to Selwa about her experience as a Euston Voices Researcher and her ambitions to better Euston. We know we can’t do justice to her passion and fervour towards community empowerment buts still invite you to hear (more read) our conversation and share an insight into the amazing ambitions of our Euston Voices Researchers.
You are such a beacon of hope when it comes to community betterment, but we’d like to know: how do you see yourself, what defines you?
Me, Selwa, I am the person who loves people and loves to be with people. I am the lady who is inspired by and learns from people, and wants to give if there is a gift to give. I never hesitate to help anyone, with something big or small. I don’t mind working with 5 year olds or 90 year olds, to me, there is no distinction
A simple lady, regardless of the background, I am where I am, I stand where I stand, I action where there is need and I never hesitate, I will go ahead and act where there is the ability to do so.
If I find something that I hate or doesn’t agree with me, I will stand up against it doesn’t matter what it will cost me.
I am always hungry to feed somebody. I always support the weak and humiliated. I won’t allow hate or violence against them. Even if I don’t know the person, I help where I can; even if it is to help someone cross the road. I don’t know if I was born with it or learnt it or gifted it.
That is selwa
That is just beautiful, but I’m glad you’ve done yourself justice by way of an introduction.
So, on to the people in your community, and as a community member, what do you think defines a person in Euston?
We are concerned with health and safety and security and the environment. This is where they, we, live, and so always want to correct behaviour. We need care and cleaner environments for the people, community and our surroundings
“The opportunity has made my voice stronger, the qualification and experience has helped me reach others, who before, I couldn’t”
Concise and precise, thank you.
Moving on to the amazing work you’ve done as part of being a Euston, thinking back to when you applied, why was it important for you to be part of the Euston Voices Researchers?
I thought that no one was hearing me before, when I spoke they would say no or otherwise, so I used to have to fight to be heard.
The opportunity has made my voice stronger, the qualification and experience has helped me reach others, who before, I couldn’t.
Especially because before I needed to go through a lot of ‘nope, nope, nope’. Now I can get support from the people who are in the middle of where the action is, because they want to work with the researchers.
Great to hear you feel like you’re finally being heard, and hopefully you get the support yo need and deserve!
On the people who are able to get things done, what do you think the stakeholders need to listen to if nothing else?
People need to be safe and to feel safe. I think there is an issue that doesn’t allow people to feel at home in their community or society. Nobody should be able to take that away or the identity of where you belong to. We deserve to be respected.
People can be hungry, but to be unsafe, that threatens their life and whole society. When people come from different worlds and countries, they often come from pain and need to fight for safety.
They need to know and care for the community and [us] for each other to make where we live and wherever else safe and secure so that nobody can take that from us.
We appreciate your perspective, thank you.
Back to your work as a Euston Voices Researcher, what was the most important part of the work?
Doing more and educating myself more. If there is something I can’t reach I want to learn how to. Education is not just from school or going to university, it is from our own community and society and those who surround us.
I want to educate myself and others around me more so, without hesitation, when I heard about the opportunity to apply, I wanted to apply for it
A small amount of education has opened up a lot of doors and opportunities to go for. Although it may not be our original goal, or it may be small, but is very important.
If there are more opportunities, I want to do more. I want to be in the middle of learning and studying. I am particularly keen about research about food, about hunger and mental health, and the relation it has to everything else.
That’s really interesting, I hope we can help you make those connections and get involved with those researching.
On a ‘bigger-picture’ point, what needs to be put in place to help you and people like you reach your goals and prosper in your environment?
I need the stakeholders. Each one had their own speciality: funding and connection, power, the council. Each has their ability to help.
We need more connection and communication to support further empowerment of ourselves and communities.
Beautifully put.
On the flip side of that, who or what puts you, or people like you, to most of the disadvantage?
Sometimes it is the rules which stop us from achieving and getting money or funding. The lack of funding, so that I can do something by myself. I wish to be more independent and not have to rely on others, but need the funding. Education also needs to have its place.
The lack of connection with the decision makers and money and education are the biggest barriers. Without these, we could build strength in our community.
Thank you. Is there anything you would want other people to know?
I want them to know that ZAD foundation is a place they can rely on and come to when they need. You may think ‘maybe I can do it by myself’, but I want you to know I can help and give advice.
I need ZAD to become a beacon of hope for the community. I don’t want selfishness or personal financial gain but I want it to be a warm place for anything, even the smallest of things.
Not everyone can get access to things or feel comfortable talking to a doctor, but at ZAD is here to help create more conversations. I want to build trust with the person and a sense of peace, I don’t just listen to then gossip, but rather want people to know they are being heard, maybe I can’t actually help, but be an outlet to hear
I’m not a miracle worker but there is importance in peoples stories. I can educate myself and others, because there are a lot of ladies suffering with a lot of things but they may be scared to talk bout it. I want them to know that they can rely on me. There maybe an aspect of society or culture which maybe adversely affecting them but don't want to ask for support. I want empowerment and individuality for the person and to be the response. We just have to see that everyone is walking their own routes.
Communication is key and there is importance in family and talking to those who are hurting you.
I aim to be somebody people trust and make a difference.
Visit ZAD Cafe at: 213 Eversholt Street, London, NW1 1DE
That sounds really heart-warming, what has been your biggest source of inspiration in life or throughout this project?
People who have the strength to make a positive difference. Also people make something of themselves and build themselves. Creating and people who create something from nothing and they figure out how to manage and survive the day
There is an old friend of mine who is a self-made woman from Turkey who climbed the socio-economic ladder and supported her family.
I can’t say I want to be like someone else but you can always grow and build.
On that, in 10 years – what does the ideal Euston or maybe world look like?
I want to see Euston as a better place to live in, with increased health and safety. There needs to be more work for people and more comfort. I want the community to be more proud of living in Euston. I can’t say it is 100% amazing right now but it can be and I want it to be. It needs to be safer, have a cleaner environment, accessible housing, more jobs and less struggle form the people here
This has been amazing, one last question: what is the best advice ever heard and what’s the best could give?
Not to loose faith and confidence and not to say that ‘you are what you are and you don’t have to change’. Why should people stop me from doing what I want to do?
To give advice – I would say do not to let anyone humiliate you or stop you from reaching your ambition or do what you wanted to do. Do whatever you think is good for you or your family, community, because a lot of people will try and stop you but you can let them.
Even just to make a different - just do it; I wish people can just do it and follow through rather than let others stop them
