BE CURIOUS. TALK TO STRANGERS.
March 2022
What questions do we really want to ask when talking to someone with Cerebral Palsy, a Single Mom, a Street Surfer, Male Rape Survivor, Bisexual, Hypnotherapist, or a Special Needs Teacher if we are given a space that allows for context, personal exchange and no judgement?
Humankind’s boundless curiosity is the force that drives discovery, creativity and innovation and constantly reshapes our experiences of the world. Yet, when it comes to people we don’t know, most of us have some reins on our curiosity. We may worry about appearing nosy, ignorant or judgmental, or just don’t know if it is acceptable to ask the questions we have.
That’s why A StrangerKind hosts ASK events, to connect with those different to ourselves, meet people we otherwise would not have had the opportunity to and be encouraged to be curious rather than presumptious about others.
“It is about bringing diverse people together for conversations and having permission to ask these ‘Strangers’ questions about their lives,” says founder, Madi van Schalkwyk. “We so often find something interesting and meaningful to us personally through unconventional conversations with strangers. That might be because the person is really different from us, but it can equally be because we discover we share things in common.”
A StrangerKind will be hosting its first online event of 2022 on Wednesday, 6 April from 17h00 to 19h00. Registration is open now, and free. You can choose your topic and book your one-hour time slot in advance, and then enjoy a unique conversation at the virtual event hosted on Zoom. After a welcome session, attendees will meet their “Strangers” one-on-one in a breakout room, where they will briefly share their stories, experiences or lifestyles relating to the topic, and for the remainder of the session, you get to ask them anything about it.
There’s a rich diversity of topics ranging from living with depression or creating a fulfilling life with lupus. You can meet a person in an interfaith marriage, a person with psychic gifts, a woman who chose to be sterilised or a Bi-Boerseun.
Van Schalkwyk continues, “Hearing the narratives and perspectives of others enriches us and created an opportunity for unexpected learning. We believe there is great value in the ways these engagements move us towards social cohesion. Many of our ‘Strangers’ started out as attendees at our events and became inspired to share their narratives after realizing that they too had stories that held value and interest for others.”
A StrangerKind also offers bespoke sessions and workshops for companies and organisations who aim to foster diversity and inclusion. “Many organisations and groups are looking to progress with strategies that deliver enhanced social cohesion amongst their members or employees,” says van Schalkwyk. “They want structure for this, but they also want it to be a comfortable, affirming experience for everyone.”
Upcoming events:
Online event: Wednesday, 6 April, 17:00 – 19:00 (book on website or: shorturl.at/ivJWY)
Become a volunteer (online): Wednesday, 11 May, 17:00 – 20:00 (limited seats)
Enquiries: ask@astrangerkind.com or 082 926 1012
Social media: @astrangerkind