A woman in black pants and a blue full sleeved T-shirt with a woollen red sweater on it and a pair of running shoes. Ordinary. On most days you will walk past Vilas Kerrai, and all you would see is an ordinary woman with her African roots embedded in her wrinkled face and curly black hair as she rushes off to work.
But meet the other side of Vilas Kerrai, the first female Chairperson of Shree Kutchi Leva Patel (SKLP) in Cardiff. A Hindu cultural organisation SKLP was first established in various cities in the UK in the late 1960s after Kenya's independence. And over the years, as the Gujarati Hindu community grew, SKLP in Cardiff became the cultural thread that celebrated the union of families and various Hindu festivals. But under the unification, there was also a visible underlying demarcation.
“For years...almost decades, you can say...the Centre was male-dominated and there was no female representation even when the community was primarily for the females and the kids.” Vilas recalled that in the old days she was merely involved with the community with a chef's headgear and as the head of the kitchen. Catering for all the festivals celebrated at the community and sometimes volunteering with the events was the extent of her participation and not just for her but for every female.
“We weren't allowed to make any decisions...even for the smallest of things! Everything from what is required in the kitchen, the equipment needed, to how much finances should be allocated down to the cultural practices in the community was decided by men. And at one point it was frustrating because they weren't aware of the needs of the kids, the reforms required with changing times...” she trails off.
But two years ago breaking the cycle, when the community had to vote for a new chairperson, the women unanimously pushed Vilas' nomination and made her the chairperson. Ever since the Samaj has seen a greater female representation with three other women employed in the 9 person committee and assuming key positions such as the treasury and vice chairperson.
“It's been a very difficult journey for me personally to break through the patriarchy and in the process, there were several hindrances that came in way of power struggles and ego battles. And honestly, it hasn't gone away to this date...but when your passion to bring a change in the society is powerful enough then you stick it out...and I chose to.”
Her determination and the loyalty that she has to both her community and people is probably best reflected in the love that she receives from the people as they go on to build a more educated and a culturally strong community.
