Cross culture morning tea

By Danielle Galvin
EACH year, Fatima Ebrahim hosts a Biggest Morning Tea on behalf of the Cancer Council. She has been doing it for seven years, and has raised $9000 over this period.
This year, there were 52 guests at Fatima’s morning tea, and she raised $1760 for the Cancer Council.
As an Islamic woman, Fatima hopes she can encourage cultural diversity at the morning teas. At the latest event, Fatima had guests from seven different countries. She says the morning tea is always successful with plenty of money raised, with lots of fun and laughter, too.
“We have such a good time at the Biggest Morning Tea. The food was delicious and the group is such a happy one,” she said.
While Fatima may not have been personally touched by cancer, she believes that everyone knows someone who has fought cancer.
“Cancer is so common and it’s something we can’t run away from. There are a number of people that I know who are battling cancer and others that are in remission. It’s so rampant,” she said.
It’s also a way for Fatima, who has lived in Hallam for 41 years, to stay connected with friends. She’s always been a neighbourly sort of person, regularly getting involved with the AN-Nur Muslims women’s association and the Ringwood Uniting Church.
“I’ve always got along well with people in the community and I’ve always been involved in local groups, and school activities,” she said.
Biggest Morning Teas are being hosted across Australia for the Cancer Council in May.