THE IDEA THAT STARTED IT ALL

Every month-end and on a weekend in Perth, Western Australia, between 40-60 women come together to meet one another in a café or in a club.   They share their stories, make new friends and enjoy a break from their routine lives.   Most are regulars who come alone; straight from home or work.  And the few who come occasionally bring along their babies in their prams.

Amidst this growing group of women is Cynthia Huet de Froberville who started these get-togethers.   “When COVID ended, and around Oct 2021, I lay awake at night overcome with this feeling to do something special.  I began communicating with God, presented to Him my thoughts and sought His sign of approval.  I had visions of a hand erasing my plans…Until my mind began to dwell on the women in my Church Ministry and in my community.  I awoke next morning with the idea of bringing together a group of women, creating a space where they could connect with each other and in a safe and comfortable environment.”  Cynthia particularly was thinking of those who are single and perhaps feeling alone, the pregnant, the elderly, the disabled, and those working in two or more jobs with little or no time for themselves.   Her thoughts led to the birth of “Women With Purpose.”

Cynthia prepared a flyer, printed 300 copies and inserted one in every letterbox on the streets in and around her suburb.  A resident of Beechboro, Cynthia is a full-time Mum to four children aged 22, 21, 13, 11 and a part-time employee (bookkeeper) at her husband’s transport business. Her busy schedule could not detract her from her plans.  In fact, Cynthia’s painstaking efforts drew 25 women to her first event; an Afternoon Téa held in Nov 2021 at Meerilinga Children and Community Service Beechboro.  She hired the venue for four-hours and paid AUD 120.

Since Nov 2021, Women With Purpose has held around 35 events.  Most have been held at the Bayswater Petanque Club where Cynthia is its President.   The management committee, at its AGM 2022, offered the venue free of cost for two hours each month as its contribution towards the welfare of women and the community.   Few events have been held at the Overflow Café; an eatery of the Chorus Church Beechboro where Cynthia is an active member.  However, it is the family get-togethers held during Easter and Christmas that attract around 1800 participants: thanks to word of mouth and the timely announcements on social media.  Each family event is held in the different parks; complete with free sausage sizzles, food and drink trucks, bouncy castles, games, song and dance performances.  It is in this regard that the City of Swan deserves special mention.   It acknowledged Women With Purpose’s contribution to the community and financially backed the family-related initiatives.  “We are pleased to partner with you because unlike others who are planning to launch events, you already are staging it.”

Says 76-year-old Glyn Box, who has attended every monthly gathering, “At our first, the women were eager to socialise and over a cup of coffee.  Now, they are eager to socialise and network too.”  The current format includes a theme (for e.g. Mother’s Day, Bollywood Night) and a guest speaker who presents a topic of human interest.  Candice Lassey, Founder of the Ukweli Project, shared the work she has undertaken to improve the lives of refugees in Uganda.  Nav Kaur, Councillor at the City of Swan, shared her journey as a migrant and how her experience as a young woman confronted by socio-cultural differences has shaped her to be competitive.

The success of Women With Purpose has been forthcoming; thanks to the whole-hearted and ongoing support that Cynthia has been receiving from her family; particularly her sister-in-law, Ingrid Huet de Froberville.  According to Ingrid, “Women With Purpose is not only an event; it is a process wherein we all can emerge better versions of ourselves.”

The 44-year-old Cynthia intends to create a hub with free counselling/support/legal services for women and to introduce, at a later stage, another group for international students.  For now, this Mauritian-born and bred is pleased that her initial idea is attracting more women together focussed on emotion and connection and with dreams for a purposeful future.

SOPHIE MENEZES

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