By Durre N. Jabeen

Recognize yourself in he and she who are not like you and me. — Carlos Fuentes

It’s Wednesday evening at the Windsor Public Library, and the Conversation Circle is gathering. We have all come from different countries and different ethnic backgrounds at different times. But we are all eager to practice our English with each other. Even our facilitator, Wendy is an immigrant.

I came from Bangladesh as a landed immigrant, and joined the Conversation Circle in 2011. It had started fifteen years earlier when some ESL students approached Mongai, one of the librarians who was an immigrant himself, and complained they had no place to practice speaking Canadian English. Mongai started the Conversation Circle. All the teachers are volunteers, and most are first or second generation immigrants themselves. Julius, who was from China, was the founding participant. When I met him he was in his late eighties. He walked with a walker and used a hearing aid, but I never saw an older gentleman so enthusiastic and eager to learn. It was an amazing experience for me.

As time passed many teachers and students came, and then went on their way. Even Julius eventually stopped coming due to health reasons. Then Mongai left the library, but even now the group continues to meet every Wednesday evening. Some are old members, some are new. We discuss different topics like festivals, food, flags, and holidays in our countries of origin. We talk about how our home countries are different from Canada, and how they have changed since we left. As we speak English and share our experiences, we all have different accents and we struggle to find the right words to describe things. But we do our best to encourage and listen to each other.

As I watch the new participants struggling, I remember the early days when I first came to Canada and went to a job workshop. The speaker said to me, “You can’t speak English like me because I was born and raised in Canada. But I can’t speak your language like you. Always remember that language is just a means of communication. As long as you can communicate, you are okay in Canada.” I never forgot her words of wisdom. Over the years I’ve shared them with so many people I’ve lost count. Her wisdom provided such encouragement for me, and then for others. Those words have become my mantra.

Every year we have a potluck Christmas party. We all enjoy it no matter what our race, religion, or ethnic background. Usually people bring dishes from their country of origin to share with the others. Before eating we always explain the ingredients of the dishes. We get to practice speaking and learn something new at the same time. It is always a lot of fun.

Perhaps one day, like Julius, I won’t be able to come anymore. But I know the Conversation Circle will continue — it will always be there to help whoever wants to come.

It reminds me of one of my favourite Bangla songs, “Coffee Houser Sei Addata Aaj Aar Nei…” This song is about a group of friends getting together in the evening to chitchat over a cup of coffee in a café, and how their lives have changed over time. The café is still there, but as time passes a younger generation has taken their place at the same table to chitchat over a cup of coffee — just like they used to do. Long live Conversation Circle!

Durre N. Jabeen is a Windsor resident and writer. This piece was originally published in Chicken Soup for the Soul The Spirit of Canada, 101 Stories of Love and Gratitude.