Minister of the Month – Hodan Ismail

Meet our Minister of the Month for July, shopkeeper Hodan Ismail!

Hodan started volunteering with us to help improve her spoken english and build her retail skills.

She now enjoys helping customers and creating a friendly environment for other volunteers.

Name: Hodan Ismail

Volunteer role: Shopkeeper

Lives: Tower Hamlets

Favourite HSMS product & why

Earwax in either cubed or bar form. It’s nice and doesn’t taste like other sweets.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I came to England from Somalia where I grew up. I came here as a refugee and I’ve lived here nearly 17 years. I went to college in the UK.

Why did you decide to volunteer with Ministry of Stories?

I think volunteering gives you a good experience and a chance to practice your English. You get to meet other people and talk with them, which is good for working in customer service.

For example, when you go to work in different places, they are always looking for examples of how you work with customers. If you want to work in a shop for, they want to know you have experience.

Were you nervous about anything before starting?

Yes, at the beginning, because people spoke quickly and it could be hard to understand.

How has it been different to how what you expected?

I thought in the beginning it might be hard, but it isn’t.

What has been the best experience of volunteering?

Giving friendly and good customer service. I hope every volunteer can enjoy the place.

Describe the Ministry of Stories in three words

Welcoming, good, enjoyable.

What would you say to other people thinking of volunteering with the Ministry?

You will have a good experience here practicing honesty, reliability and friendliness. It’s a nice place to volunteer and very friendly.