This week on the #TOBcommunity spotlight, we’d like to introduce you to Becky Hoh-Hale. Becky is the creator of the Ingat Ingat Exhibition, which celebrates East and South-East Asian people who came to work for the NHS circa 60-70s. She’s also the Founder & Creative Director of A Most Curious Wedding Fair - the biggest indie bridal event in the UK.
How do you / your organisation support and celebrate marginalised people?
Ingat-Ingat throws a spotlight on the real human stories of people that left their homes in South East Asia to join our National Health Service in the U.K from 1959-1979. Preserving these stories of both the ordinary and the extraordinary, the humans and humanity behind the words ‘immigration’ and ‘immigrants’ ; tales of adventure, youth, sacrifice, hard work, fun, food, assimilation, integration, solidarity, identity and roots.
It recognises and acknowledges this huge part of UK history, so often invisible, the contribution ESEA people have made, not only to the NHS, but to the country as a whole.
Curated by me, the daughter of Malaysian-Chinese psychiatric nurse Hoh Min Leong (Leon) who came to Essex, UK, in 1975 to train with the NHS and has been here ever since.
Ingat-Ingat comprises of 12 stories of young people who left their lives behind in Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore, some still working in the NHS, some sadly no longer with us, all have stories to tell.
Each person’s story is researched and compiled by their children and grandchildren. Building a bridge between two worlds and a nod to the legacy of love left, not only in their workplace but in the families created here too.
For me it is two stories, our parent’s original journey of leaving home, a leap of faith into the unknown, working hard and carving a place for yourself somewhere new. But there is a second sub-story, that is the healing power of giving space to that journey that we are not always privy to, for us kids that were born here as a result. A connection to a place we are not always sure is our’s and a moment of enlightenment and reverence to that one decision made all those year’s ago by a mother or father we were yet to know.
The ESEA communities, PARTICULARLY the elders have felt vulnerable during the rise of Asian Hate over the pandemic…I wanted to lift up the depth of their stories, joy, contribution and humanity.
What can we expect from you in the coming months?
I hope that Ingat-Ingat could get funding and be something really big next year, for an official ESEA Heritage month…This was a bit of a dry run, very grassroots and me just doing what I could with the idea in the time and financial constraints!
I'm really new on the scene when it comes to taking up space as a part Asian person, I've been embraced by the community from the get-go, but that's been a very recent thing, only began my journey of trying to take ownership of my identity with the terrible events in Georgia in March. So I definitely want to be more of a team player, sit down and contribute to other people's events, support, be and just soak up what the community is, rather than just focusing on my own event!
Favourite quote that sums up your philosophy on life:
Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.
What’s your secret superpower?
I'm really good at finding stuff. I don't know if this is a mum thing, but I seem to have a photographic memory of where everyone's else's things are at all times.
Describe yourself in 3 words:
Ambitious, introvert, messy.
Where can people find you?
Instagram: @ingat_ingat_exhibition | @beckycurious | @MostCuriousWedFair
Twitter: @CuriousParties
Website: www.amostcuriousweddingfair.co.uk
The Other Box community, aka #TOBcommunity, is an intersectionally inclusive global community, where the voices and experiences of the most marginalised in society are prioritised. It’s a place where our members share opportunities, events, resources, and seek advice and support. Join us at www.facebook.com/groups/theotherbox