Black History Month, cupcakes and togetherness

This amazing Black Lives Matter cupcake (further down page) was decorated by Marie during our event to mark Black History Month. 

The event was at one of our safe houses. The residents, all of them survivors of trafficking and exploitation, came together with a couple of our team. They talked about black history and the importance of celebrating one another's cultures, and about what it is to strive for freedom. 

Among the people in the room that day, there were five different countries represented. One of the women made fried yams and African hot sauce. Another made Vietnamese spring rolls, and there were pakoras too. There was music playing, and the women shared about their different cultures. They all learned how to say ‘welcome’ in the different languages spoken in the room. ‘It was the best day ever!’ says safe house resident, Alexandria.

The women shared about their different cultures. One made fried yams and hot sauce, another made spring rolls.

Esme works at our safe house, and helped plan the session. ‘It was really powerful,’ says Esme. ‘The cupcakes ended up wonky but no-one minded. They tasted great, and the important thing was that we made them together.’ 

Some of the women were feeling low that day and the session really lifted their spirits. One of our new residents joined in, too. She was unsure at first, but soon began to enjoy it, helping to stir the cupcake mixture and spoon it into cases. ‘She smiled a really big, genuine smile at the end of the day,’ says Esme. ‘It’s the first time I’ve seen her smile like that.’ 

‘In my job at Ella’s, I get to witness the best bits of humanity,’ Esme continues. ‘Knowing what each of the women has been through, it’s so special to see them enjoy these moments of music and sharing and cupcakes. It was enough to fill our hearts, that day.’