Finding a sense of community

Sandringham resident Paola Ferretti celebrated the one-year anniversary of her ‘I Woman’ initiative which aims to uplift women by giving them a place to express themselves.

Ferretti said that a year down the line, new women have regularly accepted her invitation to join the monthly Saturday afternoon group, held in her Sandringham home, with participants of varying backgrounds, ages, race, and religion attending.

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She runs the group from her home, within her garden studio where she has curtained off a special ‘Red Tent’ area, which she refers to as a nurturing and artistic ‘incubation’ space. Women come to find a sense of community, to take a break from the relentless pace of life and out of a desire to discover or recover, a more authentic voice. First in the safety of her studio, then in their own lives amongst their family, friends, and communities.

Ferretti said, “It’s a place where we, as women, meet for a few hours and talk, laugh, tackle a creative project we’re working on individually, like painting, cooking, sewing and writing. We explore our sense of identity and belonging and also tell personal stories to each other. We listen, sometimes we grieve and hopefully, we heal our feminine spirits in the process.”

She added, “My open invitation is to come and be in a place where we risk to feel our hearts. I often ask myself: What are our hungers, do we dare feel them? What are our forgotten aspirations, do we dare follow them? Are all the parts which make up who we are, playing a role in our lives? I don’t have all the answers. I would like to hear from other women. I have focused on creating this place for women to be seen and be heard, and in return, to see and hear.”

A superb cook and baker, as well as multi-talented artist who works in various mediums, Paola says it gives her great pleasure to literally and figuratively feed the appetite, hearts and souls of her group’s valued members.

The initial idea began in April last year, which was advertised through a personally written invitation which she distributed to the women she knew, and eventually met others who held the same interests.

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Anyone who is interested in joining the ‘I Woman’ Project, can contact Ferretti by email on paolaferretti9@gmail.com or call her on 072 501 8430. The group meets on the first Saturday of every month from 14h30 to 17h30. Paola asks for a contribution of R100 per meeting (with tea-time snacks included). Depending on request and availability, alternative days and times can be arranged. She reserves the right to limit membership of the group at her discretion.

Details: 072 501 8430

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