• Tassie Salvos celebrate with Nepalese

The Salvation Army’s Monica Pancholi (left) at the stall with Salvo vounteers at Hobart’s Nepalese New Year celebrations.

BY LAUREN MARTIN

A Salvation Army stall at the Nepalese New Year celebrations in Hobart, Tasmania, sparked great conversations with individuals and families about the Army’s mission and services.

Salvation Army Doorways Energy Support Worker, Monica Pancholi, attended the event and said it was a great opportunity to introduce Salvation Army services to the Nepalese community.

“Many people were surprised to learn that these services are available and free of cost,” she said. “A lot of community members are not aware that such services exist, and some assume they are not eligible due to their immigration status.”

She said having the stall at the event, which provided information about Salvation Army activities and colouring-in activities for children, is really important because it highlights a gap in awareness within CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) communities.

“[These events allow us to connect directly with people, build trust, and ensure the community knows that we are here to support them.”

Monica will be setting up a similar Salvation Army stall at another event this weekend, the Hobart Vaisakhi Mela, celebrating the Punjabi Harvest Festival.

Colouring-in for kids was popular at The Salvation Army stall at the recent Nepalese New Year celebrations in Hobart.