Photo exhibit documents the lives of Somali immigrants

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/pathwaysandbarriers.jpg” caption=”A unique photo exhibition profiling the lives of seven Somali immigrants in Hamilton is on display outside the President’s Office until March 31. “]Have you ever wanted to view the city through someone else's eyes?

“Pathways and Barriers” is offering just such an opportunity.

The unique photo exhibition in Gilmour Hall profiles the lives of seven Somali immigrants – all of whom relocated to Canada, and all of whom landed at the Immigrant Women's Centre in downtown Hamilton.

“It's an opportunity to raise awareness of the people in our community, and give a voice to recent immigrants,” said Esme Davies, senior advisor to President Patrick Deane. ”Patrick took one look and really liked the idea. He was very impressed, and thought it would be a good fit for McMaster.”

The display was originally brought to the attention of the President by Adam Kuhn, manager at the Student Success Centre.

Each woman in the series was provided with a digital camera, and asked to document some of the happenings in their day-to-day lives. Many of the images and accompanying text touch on education, employment and housing in the Hamilton area, along with some of the difficulties of learning a new language and integrating with a foreign culture.

The women range in age from early-20s to mid-50s, and many detail their experiences in East African refugee camps prior to relocating to Canada.

One participant, Hamdi, spent five years in a Kenyan camp before moving to Hamilton in November 2010. The language barrier has been a challenge for the mother of four, but Hamdi is taking English classes and hopes to one day become a nurse.

The Immigrant Women's Centre was founded in 1988, and continues to be a valuable resource the greater Hamilton area – operating five sites in the downtown core, South Mountain and East Hamilton.

The self-described “multi-ethnic, multi-service” organization provides employment, education and skills-training resources, while also advocating for the rights of immigrant women and their children.

“Our goal for this project was to raise awareness of settlement and immigration issues,” said Brooke Camplin, community development worker/group facilitator at the centre, and a recent McMaster master's of social work graduate.

”We're currently looking at new ways to connect young people with newcomers, and we've already had a few McMaster students call to volunteer, thanks to the display.”

For more information on how to volunteer, please call 905-529-5209 ext. 223, or visit the centre online.

Pathways and Barriers will be on display in the President's Corridor of Gilmour Hall until Saturday, March 31.