Yasin co-created Home Girls Unite as an online and offline support group and safe space for first daughters of immigrants to discuss the real experiences of childhood in marginalised communities. It works to help people connect with their multiple identities in a complex world – in the worlds of their parents, their peers, and the worlds young women envisage for themselves.
Yasin was born in Gambia and is an eldest of five. From the age of 11 she started noticing her life was very different from her non-immigrant peers: from cancelling shopping trips with friends to babysitting her two-year-old brother, her eldest daughter role was made very clear from a young age. When the opportunity of leaving home for university presented itself, she knew it was time to “escape”. Meeting other eldest daughters of immigrants, she realised her experience was not as unique as she once thought, and therefore not as isolating. Yasin and her co-founder, Hanna, tweeted an idea for a network for people in their situation, and were inundated with messages from people of different backgrounds looking to be involved.
Yasin is interested in holding more intergenerational conversations within Home Girls and helping parents and grandparents understand that cultural norms can be changed to help everyone feel part of a changing world, rather than left behind by it.
We really want to amplify the voices of the older generations of eldest daughters. Inter-generational conversations are very important for progress. If you know any eldest daughters (grandma, mums, aunties) that would be interested in these conversations, please let us know.
— HomeGirlsUnite (@HomeGirlsUnite) January 13, 2021
Home Girls Unite events in London have consistently sold out: now expanding to Bristol and looking to extend to other cities too, while building a library of online content accessible to those unable to come to in-person events. Home Girls Unite has an online network of over 3,000 women, and a weekly podcast streamed over 9,000 times so far.
Yasin applied to the Multiplier because she wanted to be part of a cohort who understood her love for her community, but also the challenges of juggling full-time roles and an organisation she wanted to grow.
We can't wait to have in person events again. Miss ranting/crying/laughing with other Home Girls.
— HomeGirlsUnite (@HomeGirlsUnite) March 6, 2021
If you know any eldest daughters from immigrant home that you think will benefit from our community, send them out way! pic.twitter.com/N849yaBxhx
The Cares Family brings older and younger people together, so all feel valued, visible and vibrant. Yasin’s desire to lift the voices of different generations of first daughters – so all ages feel seen, heard and appreciated secured her place on the programme.