Sirpa Tavi is the Neighbor of the Year. She lives in a Setlementtiasunnot building in Jätkäsaari, Helsinki. The winner of the honorary mention has been announced as part of Neighbor Week, which is celebrated from May 19-25.
– Sirpa’s cheerful demeanor and sincere desire to do good for her neighbors are exceptional, explains one of Tavi’s neighbors in the building, justifying the honorary mention.
Setlementtiasunnot residents selected the Neighbor of the Year from among themselves. Setlementtiasunnot has 21 buildings in seven localities.
Tavi is very honored by the recognition she has received.
– For me, neighborliness means that we help each other in different ways in this building. And in the elevator, neighbors greet each other, she reflects.
Community reduces loneliness
Tavi, who is retired, worked her career as a teacher in the food industry, specializing in baking and confectionery. Her skills are often highlighted by residents as an important part of creating a sense of community and team spirit.
– She brainstorms and organizes events that are easy to participate in, for example, baking together, a resident says.
Tavi’s gingerbread and pie-making workshops welcome everyone from the courtyard of the block, which also includes assisted living apartments for people with disabilities.
– For us at Setlementtiasunnot, it is important that a sense of community can naturally emerge in our buildings from everyday encounters. We want to create an environment where people can meet and belong in their own way, says Katri Kaukinen from Setlementtiasunnot.
Today in Finland, many of us live alone.
– In such cases, the importance of neighbors is further emphasized. Many of our residents say that the best thing about living in this building is precisely the neighbors, Kaukinen states.
Tavi agrees:
– It’s important to acknowledge everyone. I always try to invite the single residents of our building to Friday coffee, for which I usually bake something, she says.
The Jätkäsaari building has a good, spacious communal kitchen where cooking for even a larger group is possible.
– Many people here don’t cook at home but eat ready-made meals. When they get handmade food, it’s nice. Nothing complicated – I’ve made, for example, pea soup in a 10-liter pot and Shrove Tuesday buns, she smiles.
