‘Yallaa’ means ‘let’s go’ or ‘let’s do it’ in Arabic. “It is probably the most spoken word in the Arabic language and throughout the Arab world,” she explains. “So that’s why I’ve chosen the name, something that’s easy to pronounce for non-Arabic speakers, but then it has a meaning to it as well.” The positive, energetic connotation of the word is reflective of the work the organisation does.
Yallaa started in 2016 in Lisburn to support Syrian refugees with their integration and social needs. To date, hundreds of people benefited from the activities and services offered. With the amount of projects going on, it’s difficult to give an exact number. “We have the Yallaa Kitchen programme that has trained 20 people so far. A lot of people have cooking skills from Arab countries - they are really very good cooks but when it comes to talking about the food or a recipe, it’s very hard for them. So we combine English classes with cooking to allow them to showcase a cookery workshop.” Students get the opportunity to work with a professional chef and in the end they can deliver workshops with Yallaa.
A graduate of the Yallaa Kitchen programme has become the enterprise’s first employee. “He is from Eritrea. It’s not an Arab country, but he was referred to us by Migrant Help and he’s very passionate about cooking.” He now has his status and is able to work. Other refugees still awaiting their asylum to be granted are unable to work, but many have volunteered in the café. This cash-generating aspect of the social enterprise provides vital funds for Yallaa to continue to help people through their projects.
Faces from Algeria, Lebanon, Sudan, Syria and beyond can be seen at their events. Over 100 people attended NI’s first ever Arab Arts and Culture Festival at the Crescent Arts Centre back in May, showcasing everything from traditional dance to Arabic calligraphy. A youth theatre and women’s choir recently launched a few months ago. “Yallaa is very much a bridge between Arabs living here and all communities in Northern Ireland wanting to know about the culture and the heritage. We are in the middle bringing those two together.”
Arab culture is not as different from ours as we may think. “That’s why I’ve stayed here for 21 years!” Rym laughs. “It’s very family-oriented, it’s conservative in many ways. People are friendly here, they smile, they talk, they will help you on the street if you are lost – if you go to an Arab country, you will get the same.” Rym believes there is a lot we can learn. “The art and music are beautiful, community and family relations are so important in the Arab world. We see the good in everybody, we smile at everybody. A smile is a charity, so you should spread your smile to everyone! We especially want to focus on the art, heritage and food. Food is something that connects people.”
As we come out of the pandemic and into the cost-of-living crisis, conversations around dereliction and homelessness in Belfast city centre have come to the fore, with two to three businesses closing each week. The café operates a pay-it-forward scheme, where patrons can pay in advance for a coffee or snack for anyone struggling. Soon no longer in the shadow of the Primark reconstruction, Rym hopes that Yallaa café’s mix of community support, culture and prime location on Royal Avenue will be part of the remedy. “It used to be a Tesco and now it’s a community, arts and culture space. It’s great to have this spot here because we can tell people about our story and who we are.”
Rym’s ambition for the organisation is paying off. Yallaa has been shortlisted for the Social Enterprise NI Awards in three categories, including Best New Start Up. “I’m very pleased because even from when I started Yallaa, from where we were and the journey we have been through, it has been fantastic. I always tell everyone that I am the founder, but there is a whole team behind Yallaa, a team of volunteers behind every aspect – the café, social media, events. It’s not just me. I have a vision for it and I can see it being realised so far.”
This feature was written for Dig With It magazine. It appears in print in Issue 9, which you can purchase here.
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