Malminkartano Neighbourhood Mothers Cafe’s closing spring party on May 21st before the summer break was more than just a gathering. It was a celebration of connection, culture, and community. This final cafe brought together a special mix of people: our regular participants, the Neighbourhood Mothers coordinators, and guests who have supported us in making this space possible. It was a reminder that community is built not just through shared goals, but also through shared moments.
One of those moments unfolded around the preparation of Vietnamese spring rolls. What made it truly special was that the session was guided by one of our own community members. From helping us shop for the ingredients to showing us the techniques step by step, she offered an intimate window into Vietnamese cooking traditions. Some participants rolled with practiced hands, while others were learning for the first time. But all of us were learning together, through taste, touch, and conversation.
As everyone got involved, chopping, rolling, and stirring, the cafe transformed into a place of shared memories and new discoveries. Food, in fact, became one of the most powerful cultural connectors that day. When everyone dug into Nepali rice kheer for dessert, it sparked recognition and storytelling: “Oh, we make something like this too!” From Germany to Iran to Finland, each culture had its own version of the dish, similar at heart, but unique in flavour and memory. It was beautiful to witness how something as simple as a rice dessert could open up conversations that spanned continents. It truly was a celebration of cultures through food, where stories, traditions, and laughter were passed around just as generously as second servings.
What I take away from this season is a quiet but powerful truth: there is always a place for community. Everyone yearns for it in some way or another, but often we are unsure where or how to begin building it. The Neighbourhood Mothers Cafe model offers a gentle but powerful answer. It provides just enough structure to guide the process, while leaving room for flexibility and local creativity. It is not a one-size-fits-all model, but a living, breathing space that adapts to the people who gather in it.
The support we receive from the coordinators, through practical tools, skills, and resource persons, makes the journey feel possible. And most importantly, the fellow Neighbourhood Mothers themselves become a source of strength, solidarity, and sisterhood. That is what turns a gathering into a community.
By Najwa Abdul Rasheed
Najwa is a master’s student in Urban Studies who wants to build more equitable cities. As part of the Neighbourhood Mothers Cafe in Malminkartano, she helps create spaces where international women feel a sense of belonging, connection and purpose.
Neighbourhood Mothers cafe in Malminkartano is on a summer break and will continue again in the Autumn.