Celebrating 25 Years of Sharing Our Cultures: Transforming Lives

Over the past 25 years, the non-profit organization Sharing Our Cultures has engaged more than 42,000 youths in programs designed to foster cultural awareness and inclusion. Founded by Lloydetta Quaicoe, the initiative aims to support young newcomers in Newfoundland and Labrador, helping them build a sense of belonging and acceptance in their new communities. Quaicoe reflects on her journey, stating, “I started the program because I wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of young newcomers.”

Each year, high school students from across the province participate in cultural presentations, which are showcased during a public event attended by younger students. In addition to these educational initiatives, Sharing Our Cultures operates an after-school program at its learning and resource center in St. John’s, providing a space for newcomers to connect and create friendships.

To commemorate the organization’s anniversary, we spoke with six past participants to understand the lasting impact the program has had on their lives.

Personal Growth and Connection Through Culture

Margaret Beyere, a participant who has greatly benefited from Sharing Our Cultures, expressed how the program has helped her explore her identity. “I feel like Sharing Our Cultures helped me find a part of myself that I felt I needed to keep away because nobody else could relate to it,” she said. Born in Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Ghanaian parents, Beyere used her presentations to delve deeper into her family’s culture, covering topics such as agriculture in Ghana and teaching her peers about the Dagaare language.

Now a first-year student at Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick, Beyere credits the program not only for her educational growth but also for the friendships she formed during her time there.

Jacqueline Wong’s journey with Sharing Our Cultures began when she moved from Hong Kong to St. John’s in 2014. After participating as a student, Wong became a mentor and eventually a staff member, designing programs to support newcomers. She fondly recalls her first night in Canada, saying, “I didn’t know how to walk in snow, my sneakers were soaked.” Wong describes the program as a vibrant community, stating, “It’s like seeing a mini world inside the rooms. Everyone speaking their own language, sharing their own story — I loved it.” Currently studying at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Wong aims to become a speech-language pathologist.

Exploring Identity and Community

Joshua Wong, who has unique insights into the immigrant experience in Canada, participated in Sharing Our Cultures at age 15. Having spent his early years in Hong Kong before moving back to Canada, he found a sense of belonging through the program. “Growing up in Newfoundland, I definitely know that I’m a minority,” he said. “It’s okay to have different cultures.” His involvement sparked a passion for mentorship, and he continued to support younger participants throughout his university years. Currently, Wong is traveling and teaching English part-time in Taiwan, where he recently presented on Newfoundland at an English learning centre.

Mahsoud Badalbaev’s multicultural background, with roots in Mongolia, Russia, and Uzbekistan, posed its own challenges while growing up in Kyrgyzstan. After moving to Montreal and then to St. John’s, he joined Sharing Our Cultures, which he credits with fostering connections that helped him adjust to new cultural surroundings. “We were all doing our posters about our country, but then we all sat next to each other and had spare time to walk around and mingle,” Badalbaev recalled. Now residing in Cyprus as an engineer, he cherishes the friendships formed through the program.

Friends Shahin Labib and William Egli also share a bond strengthened by their experiences with Sharing Our Cultures. Labib, originally from Egypt, and Egli, from South Africa, participated in the program together for three years, alternating cultural presentations to broaden their understanding of each other’s backgrounds. Egli noted the importance of raising cultural awareness, stating, “I just think that it’s important to know that there’s life outside of Newfoundland.” Their friendship endures, as both are now third-year students at Memorial University and currently studying in France.

As Quaicoe reflects on the organization’s achievements, she expresses deep gratitude for the resilience demonstrated by newcomer youth. “I have learned to be empathetic and grateful for every moment I have spent with them,” she said. Through Sharing Our Cultures, countless young individuals have found a platform to share their identities, connect with others, and navigate their new lives in Canada.