Celebrating Shaku Ahluwalia

An educator in her home country, Shaku immigrated to Canada from Uganda in 1974. She is a proud mother and grandparent to two children and three grandchildren. Her family means everything to her. Shaku is an active member in her community and has been and continues to give back to her community in different ways including serving as Past President of the South Asian Seniors Association of Waterloo Region and as a current member of the Mayor’s Task Force for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Her work in the area of Race Relations in the early 90’s helped to inspire unlearn., a social enterprise whose vision is to help inspire people to see the humanity in everyone. Shaku speaks seven languages and is currently a cultural interpreter for Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi, Swahili, and Urdu languages. As a young child, she found joy in the arts, drawing, painting and eventually designing clothing. Shaku loves designing clothing and creating clothing for herself, her family, and friends. During this pandemic, she has been busy making masks for The Ministry of Children, Social Development Centre and her community. Her passion for giving back and her love for her family are felt immensely.

“A smile is the universal language: we need to smile more!”

What volunteer experiences are you most passionate about in your life?

“I have been volunteering since I moved to Canada (Dec. 1974). Anybody who needs my help – sewing, gardening, being a listening ear – I am always available. I enjoy helping other immigrants adjust to life in Canada….

“I love designing clothing: it’s my passion. When this all started, I began sewing masks for the family, the neighbors and then friends started asking. It has expanded, and now I am making masks for The Ministry of Children. I am supplying front line volunteers with masks as well.”

What aspects of serving your community and giving back are most important to you? What motivates you to help in these ways?

“My parents! My father told me, ‘Time never stops so why should you stop? What is getting old? There are so many things to do in the world. Just do it!’

“I find that newcomers, when they settle down in this country, there are things they cannot find or understand. I want to help them because of my own struggle to get settled. Sometimes they are lonely so it’s important that I reach out and am there for these individuals. This is especially important to me.”

What is something most people in your life would not know about you?

“I love designing colourful clothes. I make some for my grandchildren. I can make just about anything. My kids will show me designs and make requests, and I just go and make it. It’s a lot of fun.”

What would you want younger/future generations to know about these efforts? What advice would you share with them?

“Don’t waste your time. Pick up a hobby and make sure you are doing something that will help somebody. Choose something that brings you pleasure and puts a smile on your face. A smile is a universal language: we need to smile more.”

What would you want people to know about the process of aging that you feel is currently misunderstood within society?

“Age will keep adding. My children tell me ‘motion is lotion.’ Never stop moving your body. Even if I am watching TV, I am still active, sewing. Age is just a number. Do not let the number slow you down.”

What aspect of your life are you most proud of?

“My childhood with my siblings, my married life, motherhood and now being a grandparent.”

What does age mean to you?

“Age is just a number to me!”

"The Interview Project" Featuring Shaku Ahluwalia