I had an opportunity to work with Karima in November 2017 when I started my internship at Nicehearts. At that time, she was on an apprenticeship program with Nicehearts. With women being the primary focus group of Nicehearts’ training programs and events, many of the women who used to attend the trainings brought their children along. Karima used to come to our rescue and take care of those children, just so that the mothers could fully participate in the training programs and events. A mother of two herself, and currently attending vocational school to be a private nanny( Perhepäivähoitaja), Karima is undoubtedly a gifted governess. When I got to know her, she had already completed 2 years at Nicehearts.
’’ I first heard about Nicehearts in 2015 from a friend and started my apprenticeship soon after that. I’ m glad I came here because there could not have been a better place for me to learn while working. All the staff and volunteers at Nicehearts are so nice to me and to each other, this has inspired me to be better and do a lot more. Am starting my second round of apprenticeship with the City of Helsinki from January 2018.
It’ s a big boost for my career and I give credit to Nicehearts for helping me get this far.’’ When I asked if she wants to continue volunteering with Nicehearts, she said,
“ Of course! Even though my apprenticeship contract with Nicehearts ended this December 2017, in my free time, I would like to continue as a volunteer. Volunteering is my way of contributing towards making this world a better place for everyone!’’
Inspired by Nicehearts’ idea of empowering women in a‘ for the women, by the women and to the women’ kind of way, Karima has registered for the upcoming Neighbourhood Mothers training. After the training, she will be helping many women who are out there looking for help. It will be a way for Karima to fulfil her own desire of helping through volunteering, as well as meeting Nicehearts’ agenda of empowering women for gender equity. Karima wishes there would be peace everywhere so that no one is displaced from a country because of war. She is also concerned about the environment. She thinks the earth is being polluted owing to various reasons, but, as Karima says,“ We should care for our planet and keep it clean, not just for now, but also for our future generations.”
Thank you Karima, we wish you well as you serve the kids of Helsinki in an official capacity and also help fellow women as a future Neighbourhood Mother!