Caring for culture
18th March 2026 | 4 min read
Knowing we’re understood and that our cultural needs and preferences are respected helps us feel safe and heard. For Pat, who lives at Waverley Valley Care Community in Melbourne, her friendship with team member Cherry is helping her stay connected to her culture.
Pat hails from Colombo, the bustling administrative capital city of Sri Lanka, while Cherry was born a short distance north, in the coastal city of Negombo. While Pat has lived in Australia for many years and raised her children in Melbourne, sharing her stories and communicating her needs with Cherry in her native Sinhalese has been a real comfort that supports her wellbeing.
“Pat’s faith is an important part of her life,” says Cherry. “While I’m not a practising Buddhist, I understand how to support Pat’s needs.”
That includes helping Pat find her favourite programs on YouTube - Dharma programs spoken by monks in Sinhalese.
There are many different options and it’s not a case of one-size-fits-all.
“These programs have specific detail including prayers that make them meaningful to people for different reasons,” explains Cherry. “Speaking Pat’s language means I’ve been able to help her to find the programs that matter to her.”
The enduring joy of food
Food is a hero ingredient in some of Pat’s fondest memories, and Cherry was proud to work with Waverley Valley chef Sunatha to organise tasty treats for her.
“One day we were chatting and Pat told me how much she missed hoppers and sambal – which is like a crepe that tastes like sourdough bread, paired with a spicy coconut relish. So we arranged a special meal for Pat to enjoy.”
“I’m so grateful for Cherry, and I’m glad we can speak together in Sinhalese,” says Pat. “The hoppers and sambal was delicious and I was touched by her thoughtfulness.”
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