The painting was freestyle, and every 15 minutes the canvases were rotated so that multiple people could contribute to each artwork.
I’m sitting on the riverfront in Skellefteå talking to Hannelore Normark about her role as a Girl Gone International (GGI) local volunteer. GGI Skellefteå Facebook members (women-only) have gathered to eat delicious food, paint, and enjoy each other's company at a ‘Picnic and Paint’ event.
–The best part? Sometimes I walk through the city and I recognize other GGIs chatting together. I may be sitting at a café when they walk past me, and I'll remember the day they met at a GGI event, and it's amazing to see them continuing their friendship. We (GGI local volunteers) see this happen on Facebook too.That's the best part of this group - some people come here only once or twice just to make a connection, whereas others come back week after week.
Originally from Romania, Hannelore discovered GGI on Facebook when the Skellefteå group launched in August 2020. After attending the first two events, she told her husband, 'I'm so happy now, I think I can live in this city!'
Before joining GGI, Hannelore felt lonely and isolated. The group provided her with a sense of belonging and support, helping her to settle into Skellefteå.
Founded in 2010 by Anne Scott, GGI was born out of her own experience of isolation after relocating to Hamburg from Scotland. GGI aims to create inclusive communities around the world for women who move abroad. With more than 750,000 members in 260 local communities worldwide, GGI has successfully provided support to countless women who have relocated to new countries.
The food was yummy.
The picnic and paint event exceeded my expectations. The women use the Facebook group to chat about what food they’ll bring, which resulted in an incredibly diverse mixture of delicious foods from shop-bought cookies and crisps, to fresh fruit, to homemade desserts.
I tasted the best homemade tiramisu of my life, “knocked up in 10 minutes the night before” by another of the GGI local volunteers Kimberly Duysens-Friquet.
Kimberly and her husband relocated to Skellefteå from the Netherlands nearly two years ago. Working from home, Kimberly found herself feeling isolated and struggling to make friends.
Left, Lamia Sajia joined by her daughter, and right Aqsa Hameed
Like Hannelore, Kimberly discovered GGI through the Facebook group and found a community that she connected with. She said:
– If GGI didn't exist, I don't think I could have continued living in Skellefteå. It absolutely changed my life.
Once most of the goodies were eaten, we got down to the business of painting. On this occasion everyone present made a small contribution to cover the costs of the canvases and paints, but many of GGI’s events are free.
The painting was freestyle, and every 15 minutes the canvases were rotated so that multiple people could contribute to each artwork.
The painting was freestyle, and every 15 minutes the canvases were rotated so that multiple people could contribute to each artwork.
The laughter (there’s a lot), warmth and openness of the group left me feeling that this community is not just important but essential for those needing to find their tribe.
GGI offers a diverse range of activities from karaoke nights, pottery, hiking, crafts, after work nights, bowling, dancing, and has had a ‘speed friending’ event based on the speed dating concept.
Another popular event is the monthly book club, hosted by GGI local volunteer Vanessa Hernandez Apakari.
The painting was freestyle, and every 15 minutes the canvases were rotated so that multiple people could contribute to each artwork.
Vanessa, originally from the United States, also lived in Finland for more than four years before coming to Sweden.
– Having lived abroad and experienced the challenges of settling into a new place, I knew I needed a community. When I joined GGI and learned about their volunteer opportunities, I felt a deep connection. Looking back, I'm amazed at how much this organization has become a part of my life.
Joana Pinto looked very happy with her artwork.
GGI opens doors for women and non-binary people to connect with others locally, talk online, attend events and make friends.
– Being new to a city is hard, and just having a person to go have fika with or take a walk with can make someone's day so much brighter, says Vanessa.
– Friendship enriches our lives and this is what GGI does best.
The painting was freestyle, and every 15 minutes the canvases were rotated so that multiple people could contribute to each artwork.
Anna Nevostrueva
The painting was freestyle, and every 15 minutes the canvases were rotated so that multiple people could contribute to each artwork.
The painting was freestyle, and every 15 minutes the canvases were rotated so that multiple people could contribute to each artwork.
The painting was freestyle, and every 15 minutes the canvases were rotated so that multiple people could contribute to each artwork.
The painting was freestyle, and every 15 minutes the canvases were rotated so that multiple people could contribute to each artwork.
Vanessa Hernandez.
Left, Aqsa Hameed, middle Lamia Sajia joined by her daughter.
Joana Pinto and Inari Crol Johansson.
The painting was freestyle, and every 15 minutes the canvases were rotated so that multiple people could contribute to each artwork.
The painting was freestyle, and every 15 minutes the canvases were rotated so that multiple people could contribute to each artwork.
The painting was freestyle, and every 15 minutes the canvases were rotated so that multiple people could contribute to each artwork.
The painting was freestyle, and every 15 minutes the canvases were rotated so that multiple people could contribute to each artwork.
The women use the Facebook group to chat about what food they’ll bring, which resulted in an incredibly diverse mixture of delicious foods from shop-bought cookies and crisps, to fresh fruit, to homemade desserts.
The women use the Facebook group to chat about what food they’ll bring, which resulted in an incredibly diverse mixture of delicious foods from shop-bought cookies and crisps, to fresh fruit, to homemade desserts.
Arielis Molina chose to break away from the group to focus on her work.
Jelena Jj passing the strawberries.
The women use the Facebook group to chat about what food they’ll bring, which resulted in an incredibly diverse mixture of delicious foods from shop-bought cookies and crisps, to fresh fruit, to homemade desserts.
Left to right, Vanessa Hernandez Apakari, Arielis Molina and Kimberly Duysens-Friquet enjoying the picnic.
Kimberly Duysens-Friquet’s tiramisu was a big hit.
The picnic attracted some feathered friends too.