Deborah Mattaka
Bridge - building the bond between Black mothers and daughters.
About
This product aims to help start and strengthen the bond between Black mothers and daughters through cooking and answering questions together about different aspects of life. Building empathy for each other and listening.
Due to many social and environmental issues like religion, generational trauma and pride, Black families never create a comforting environment between generations - leaving many to suffer in silence and even further, causing mental health struggles.
From personal experiences with depression I never knew who to speak to because I never felt close enough to share with anyone - causing me more pain than it should have. Again, not seeking help because of being raised to be ‘strong’. Being in a world like this made showing weakness as not an option for me.
Sharing my emotions with my mother was the hardest, as I knew everything she had sacrificed for me, it felt like betrayal in a way.
I then reflected upon how I do not even know my mother and the struggles she faces - hence why I made this project with her in mind.
Hopefully this is the start of hard conversations where Black women feel comfortable with each other and share the love they have through empathy for each other.
I love you Rose.
Thank you.
The product
The packaging
The interactive tablecloth, booklets and cards for the users.
The cards is motion
My mum and sister cooking together while answering the questions.
Bridge - Childhood
A user testing of the product with my mother and sister. Making pancakes and sharing stories and laughs with each other.
Support this graduate
Supporting me is supporting Black people. Uplift and amplify Black voices - whether that's sharing us, donating to us or educating yourself about us.
Here are a few links to big causes I support:
My home country of Malawi was hit with huge floods this year and many lost their lives, family and homes. You can donate to this charity who I am very familiar with or you can read and share to raise awareness.
Support Malawi Floods | Fundraising | Open Arms Malawi
Black lives are still at mercy around the world and I have link below that fully explains what is happening around the world, how you can help and actions to be taken. Ways To Help (blacklivesmatters.carrd.co)
My dissertation was heavily centred around Black Lives Matter and the affect it had on social media - if you would like to have a read, I have linked the magazine below! Deborah Mattaka Dissertation, Black Lives Matter and Social Media