Free Iss ue 29
A MessageToIsis
July 2015
When Will It Ever Come To A ‘Rent’ University VS Apprenticeship
20th Anniversary Of The Genocide In Srebrenica
My summer holidays Top Picks Active Change Foundation’s Monthly Magazine
7
Tips For Better Business Writing
offee Women C rkWo Morning – day s shop - Tue :00 t, s 11 25th Augu pm am to 1:00
ession
ll s
Footba
Young Voices
ay d n o M Every ursday h and T
Badr
Session every
n:
days, n o M n , on o ursday n e m - For esdays, Th Sundays Wedn , Fridays, s, ns esday s o u T o n n r ,o ay afte omen gs, Saturd W r nin - Fo y mor a d s r Thu
op Worksh ment‘ Develop
s@
0 ugust 6:0 A th 7 y Frida m – 7:00 p
.org
undation
angefo activech
k Faceboo m/activechangen o s u e o Lik cebook.c a .f w w /w https:/ 1 undation
fo NewGen 2
nd Sunday 2 12:00 pm – t s u g u A pm until 6:30
entre Youth C op: Worksh sonal ‘Per
p ‘Unde Worksho ill’– Friday 21st SB 0 pm the CT& pm – 7:0 0 :0 6 t s Augu
h at c u o t n i Get
arty on Street P rland Northumbe Road
Youth Ce Football M ntre a vs Metrop tch ACF olitan Poli ce Wednesd ay 5th August af ternoon
entre Youth C op: Worksh rstanding
enquirie
sday from every Tue e July to th h t 8 2 e h t ust 25th Aug
Tuesday
ope ym is
G
ly Female Otnthe Session eantre Youth C
pm
Youth Centre Sports Worksho p:
Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th A ugust 3:00 pm – 4:30 p m
www.activechangefoundation.org
to Subscribe e our Youtub Channel:
hange Active C Foundation
Follow us onTwitter :
Active_
Change_
F
July 2015
Dear Readers, Welcome to the July issue of your New Gen magazine. It is written for the mind that has opinions, can see the big picture and knows it has places to go and worlds to discover.
453 Lea Bridge Road, London E10 7EA Tel: 020 8279 1258 E: enquiries@activechangefoundation.org Web: www.activechangefoundation.org An electronic copy of this magazine can be found on our website.
With everyone now in holiday mode, it’s easy to let the days pass by without doing much, so once again we try to give you a good time when reading the work of our dedicated contributors. We pledge to keep you informed, to provoke your thought and to keep you entertained while we do it!
•
Chief Excecutive Hanif Qadir: hanif@activechangefoundation.org
•
Chief Editor Fatima Lahnait: fatima@activechangefoundation.org
This year is the 20th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide. The United Kingdom’s Srebrenica Memorial Week ran from Sunday 5 July to Sunday 12 July. It is our duty to keep alive the memory of Srebrenica, and to teach young people the consequences of hatred and intolerance. Therefore read on page 6, share, and comment on Sara’s summary of the Srebrenica genocide.
•
Deputy Editor: Sara Phillips
•
Contributors: Hamza Abdulwahi, Maxwell Adjei, Safraz Ali, Aqeel Hussain, Abdul-Ghaffar Mahdi, Sara Phillips, Alice Roder, Hanif Qadir, Zarka Qadir
This month We have launched our new campaign ‘#MessageToIsis’, and our CEO emphasises on page 5 the importance of everyone’s participation to defeat extremist groups’ propaganda and ideology. On a lighter note, Safraz wonders, on page 8, when it will ever come to a ‘rent’, while Alice shares with us her favourite holiday spots on page 9. Hamza is one of our new writers, and besides the cover picture he took while on a trip with some young leaders, on page 14 he compares university and apprenticeships.
•
Head of Communication and Media Shafiul Islam: shaf@activechangefoundation.org
•
Pictures: Outreach Team
•
Cover Picture: Hamza Abdulwahi
•
Printed by: FOZ Designs Ltd, hello@fozdesigns.com
I hope this issue of the NG offers you what you are looking for. NG listens and learns from its readers, so as usual, we would love to hear from you - even if it is a criticism! So write to us, visit our website, follow us on social media and have a look at YLP TV’s latest videos on You Tube. Happy reading! Fatima
The New Gen Magazine is printed in Great Britain for the Active Change Foundation, by FOZ Designs Ltd. All rights of translation and reproduction reserved. All articles and images in this magazine are under the exclusive copyright of the Active Change Foundation.
CONTENTS 5. 9. 15. 18. 22. NewGen 3
A Message To Isis
My Summer Holiday Top Picks 7 Tips For Better Business Writing
On The Ball
6.
20TH Anniversary Of The Genocide In Srebrenica
8.
When Will it Ever Come To A ‘Rent’?
12.
Events at ACF
14.
University VS Apprenticeship
16.
Ladies Initiative: Women Coffee Morning
17.
Health And WellBeing: Cancer, The
20.
Business of the Month
21.
Youth of the Month
Silent Killer
Coffee Break www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
NewGen 4
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
A Message to Isis By Hanif Qadir
A Muslim who fears Allah wholeheartedly and follows Islam properly, in accordance to the Sunnah, will not support the actions of such groups like ISIS or Boko Haram. But those who have little knowledge, are simple minded and emotional will follow these groups blindly. Look at how many young men and women have flocked to join them, leaving their families, parents, mothers and even wives behind, without support or without even telling them. The conflict in Syria and Iraq has been waged by gangs of ignorant, selfish and very extreme individuals claiming to be Mujahideen, fighting a holy war in the name of Islam, waving the black flag bearing the Shahada, the Muslim declaration of faith.
Without a doubt the ongoing situation in Syria is painful, the Assad regime is brutal and despicable. But, the response by ISIS in Iraq and Syria is wrong and unacceptable.
These individuals are more correctly known as Takfiri Khawarijites, who do not act in accordance to the Sunnah of our beloved prophet Mohammad (pbuh). In fact, they act in their own interests which totally undermine the true message and meaning of Islam. We have been warned about such groups from since the time of our Prophet (pbuh). Clear warnings have been given to us many, many times, and we have also been warned how they will continue to rise from amongst the Muslims. We have been instructed to act against them, we have been commanded, literally, to strive against them and prevent them from growing stronger.
Our advice to you is to stop supporting them and think for a while. Read up on what the actual rulings are regarding such acts. What does the Quran tell us? What did our prophet (pbuh) do in such times and how did the Sahabah (the companions of the Prophet - pbuh) conduct themselves in times of war, etc. The answers are there. We just need to find them.
Sadly they use very emotional messages, and they use our very pure faith against us by claiming they are upon the right path and are waging war to establish the law of Allah. Their deceit is based on falsehood and ignorance.
We have written about these groups several times and we will continue to write about them to warn you, all the time, about them and their lies.
And to emphasise this, we recently launched a campaign called #MessageToIsis, to give you a platform to express your disapproval of ISIS’s actions. So draw, make videos, write poems and tweet. Make your voice heard.
Killing of innocent women and children, openly executing people and causing harm upon the earth by being brutal is not from the Sunnah of Rasoolallah (s.a.w). In fact it is the opposite, and their actions are destroying the very fundamentals of Islam from within. Across the globe, the image of Islam is being tarnished severely because of the actions of a few.
NewGen 5
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
20th anniversary of the genocide in Srebrenica By Sara Phillips
11th July 2015 marked the twentieth anniversary of the genocide at Srebrenica, in Bosnia-Herzegovina where Bosnian-Serb forces massacred at least 8,000 Bosniak men and boys. Twenty years on it is important to remember what happened and how society reached that point, in order to prevent it happening again.
Events leading up to Srebrenica
Yugoslavia was made up of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo, Serbia & Slovenia, and a number of factors contributed to the declaration of independence by states and the subsequent conflicts. The collapse of communism in Eastern Europe and the death of Tito, leader of Yugoslavia since the end of World War Two, meant political uncertainty which led to a resurgence in extreme nationalism. This was exacerbated by an economic crisis as well. As history has shown before, economic crises and political instability often result in people turning to extreme right wing leaders. And so nationalistic leaders such as Franjo Tudjman in Croatia and Slobodan Milosevic in Serbia came into power and their governments were increasingly dictatorial, militaristic and anti other ethnic groups. The economic crisis affected southern states with hyperinflation in Serbia whilst Croatia and Slovenia fared better and felt they were carrying the other states. The role of the media in creating an environment and society where ethnic cleansing and genocide became possible is extremely important too; scapegoating and fear mongering appear and make policies and violence seem acceptable. This was the situation when Slovenia declared independence in 1990, Croatia in 1991 and Bosnia-Herzegovina in March 1992. However Serbia wanted to unite all the areas which comprised of Serbs (they made up about one third of the population in BosniaHerzegovina) and following a successful NewGen 6
vote for independence, Bosnian-Serb militias, who wanted to stay a part of Serbia, started seizing land for a “Greater Serbia,� driving out the local inhabitants who were not ethnically Serb and conducting a campaign of ethnic cleansing. Furthermore these militias were supported by the national Yugoslav army which was under Milosevic’s control. As a result of the violence and conflict many people fled and the UN designated certain areas in Bosnia-Herzegovina to be safe zones; Srebrenica was one of these safe areas where Bosniaks fled to and in July 1995 there were tens of thousands of internally displaced persons in Srebrenica.
What happened?
In July 1995 Bosnian-Serb militias under the command of Karadzic and Mladic entered Srebrenica and separated Bosniak men and boys from the women, girls and young children, who were sent away on buses, and from 11th July 1995 Bosnian-Serb forces executed more than 8,000 Bosniak men and boys. Meanwhile the Dutch UN peacekeepers did nothing.
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
How could this happen?
How was this able to happen and why did the UN forces not prevent it? How could this happen again, the worst massacre in Europe since the Holocaust? There was a lack of will amongst UN member states, and particularly the UN Security Council (UNSC), to provide peacekeepers with a forceful mandate, and instead the peacekeepers were authorised to protect aid not civilians. This was a result of peacekeepers dying in Somalia (1992) and in Rwanda (1994) and so contributing states were unwilling to send peacekeepers if their lives were going to be put at risk. Furthermore whilst Russia had permitted the UNSC resolution that allowed NATO air strikes in Bosnia and Herzegovina, they openly criticised it for not seeking permission from the UNSC each time they were used. Russia had also previously opposed economic sanctions against Serbian forces in 1994.
How the war ended?
The conflict in Bosnia-Herzegovina ended with the Dayton peace accords in November 1995 which resulted in Bosnia-Herzegovina gaining its independence and being divided into three sections; the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina, the Republika Srpska and the Brcko district. Srebrenica lies in the Republika Srpska and thus the site where victims died, a place that should be one of memorial, is ultimately in the hands of the perpetrators – who still do not recognise what happened at Srebrenica as genocide. The war had a huge impact on the country. BosniaHerzegovina had a population of 4.4 million before the war and an estimated 250,000 people died during the war and more than 2.2 million people became refugees – today the population has dropped to 3.8 million.
NewGen 7
Today
Despite an end to the conflict the judicial process still continues; trials at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) against key perpetrators, such as Karadzic (only arrested in 2008) and Mladic (only arrested in 2011), are ongoing. Furthermore the term ‘genocide’ still remains contentious amongst the UNSC, with the recent proposal earlier this month to recognise the massacre at Srebrenica as genocide vetoed by Russia. Serbia still does not accept this term, however the ICTY and International Court of Justice (ICJ) both found it to be genocide, although the ICJ found that Serbia was not responsible but should have stopped it happening and not obstructed the ICTY in bringing key perpetrators to trial. Closure is still missing for many families as well, with the bodies of victims still being identified and thus burials and funerals still occurring, twenty years after losing loved ones. It is estimated that at least a further 2,000 people still need to be identified. In the UK Srebrenica Memorial Week was from 5th-12th July and commemorations were held both nationally and locally to remember the victims who lost their lives.
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
When Will It Ever Come To A Rent? By Safraz Ali London is known worldwide as one of the most expensive places to live. Let alone the rent costs, transport, food and everyday necessities are far dearer in the capital than most places in the world.
Just over a month ago, a one bedroom flat in Shoreditch, which consisted of a bath, and bed in the same room, went for a ridiculous price. People are desperate, and with desperation comes sheer exploitation.
So why is it that many make the decisive decision to shut up shop and move to a place which is only going to become more gentrified? Urban slums are a thing of the past, the ghettos are slowly but surely disappearing and your noisy neighbours are nowhere to be seen – and this is a bad thing.
Students are among those who are exploited the most. Landlords know that they need accommodation and fast. Therefore students in particular become vulnerable to the poisonous system currently in place. I’m surprised students can actually afford it in the first instance, the student loan barely covers the cost of a roof over your head let alone your other amenities.
If you’re fortunate enough to live within zones 1-3 then you have little to worry about, unless you’re renting that is. House prices are soaring, more rapidly than ever before and the market for a first time buyer is virtually non-existent if you happen to be earning fewer than 100k per annum. A study a few months ago detailed how much of a deposit is needed in order to take out a mortgage in London. The results, as expected, were shocking. You can live in Dagenham if you manage to muster up 100k in savings.
It’s all well and good for me to write about this archaic structure in place, but this won’t do anything about it and it seems as if the mayor of London is more concerned with adding extra bike lanes in London than helping Londoners find homes. Talk about having your priorities messed up. When will it all ever come to a rent?
The closer you get to Central London the more unlikely it is that you’ll ever own a home. Think of it like this, those who spend their whole lives growing up in London may eventually be forced to move out of their hometown simply because they can’t keep up with the ascending costs of living.
Therefore you may be asking yourselves, isn’t renting a viable option? Well, simply put, it isn’t. There are no rent caps in London, meaning landlords can charge whatever premium price they please knowing that someone will be foolish enough to pay. This, in retrospect, means those renting for a fixed term can see their rents almost triple immediately after and are then forced to look elsewhere. Just a couple of weeks ago my neighbours were forced to move out of their property as their rents changed drastically, and this is all completely legal.
NewGen 8
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
My Summer Holiday Top Picks By Alice Roder It’s summer holiday time! The temperature’s heating up and everyday London life is getting less and less tolerable. Blazing hot summer round these parts evokes a sort of vampire lifestyle. It’s a consensus of sunshine avoidance and general bitterness. In the city, people twitch in heavy suits as they brave the heat of Bank LU station. Not a patch of grass can be seen anywhere, and everything moves that little bit slower. That fresh summer vibe quickly got dull and we grow to resent the heat. So where can we escape to? Whether you want a day trip to the beach, a chance to wind down in the countryside, or an exotic holiday, there are plenty of options available. This article is my profile of some of the top sun, sea, and sights of summer holiday destinations. If you suffer from severe holiday envy, perhaps it’s best to turn the page now.
1. Broadstairs Beach
Broadstairs is a small seaside town in Thanet, Kent. It’s about an hour and a half away from St Pancras by train and about two hours away by car. It’s known for its two main sandy bays,
2. Camber Sands
Camber Sands is a long beach in East Sussex, affront the small village, camber. It’s a little more difficult to access than Broadstairs because you need to get a bus from the train station. The whole journey takes two hours and a half by car, or nearly two hours by train, but it’s definitely worth it. Not only is the sandy beach beautiful, but it also hosts mountainous sand dunes that are great fun to explore.
Day Breaks There are plenty of day trip destinations less than three hours away from London by train. Most of these are in Kent, Essex, Sussex, or Hampshire. Few people consider visiting a beach in the UK these days but there are many towns that are definitely worth a visit.
European Holidays If you’re looking to travel a little further this summer, then European holidays offer an incredible array of summer holiday resorts. Mediterranean seaside holiday locations are some of the best in the world, and with an EU passport Britons have an incredible opportunity to experience it all.
NewGen 9
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
3. Santorini
Santorini is a small Greek island about 5 hours away from Athens by ferry or accessible by plane. It used to be a small volcano caldera and is less than 35 square miles. Known for beautiful sunsets, and gorgeous views, Santorini is a popular honeymoon destination for couples all over the world. My friends and I stayed in Thea Holiday Apartments, the photo below was taken there.
And beyond? The world is your oyster! There is so much to see in every country and culture of the world that we could not begin to cover it. It’s what makes a multi-cultural city like London so magical: even if you can’t go to see it, you can still hear incredible stories about it. Travelling is an opportunity you should grab with both hands because you learn so much. Going from experience, I can only suggest one place but it’s definitely different:
4. Madrid
Madrid is the largest city in Spain and is known as the political, economic, and cultural capital of Spain. People mostly go to enjoy fantastic food and architecture. The city is also known for arts and entertainment, a hub for bullfighting. The flight time is less than 2 and a half hours as well!
5. Auroville
Auroville was set up as an open commune by a French settlement in South India. This small town is not far from the Indian resort Pondicherry, and has its own gorgeous beach. The restaurants are lovely, so are the shops with handmade authentic souvenirs for ridiculously cheap prices. Tourist resorts include the Matrimandir: a world famous ‘site of concentration’ the centre of a beautiful park that you can go inside if you book early enough. You’ll see a different currency system and meet settlers from over 50 countries in this cute little retreat. If you want a more ‘indie’ holiday in a bespoke destination, I strongly advise looking to South India and Kerala. Still largely new to tourism, you’ll experience the rich Indian culture in all its beauty.
NewGen 10
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
Holidays can be the best opportunity to chill out and wind down for a week or two. In booking our dream locations, however, it can be a scary thing. I never left the country until I was 18, and in the star struck wandering I’ve done since then I’ve learnt just how privileged life in the UK really is. You always have to consider your safety when travelliang but at the same time fears promoted by the news can cause serious damage to a resort’s income and have miniscule chances of affecting your trip. Stepping out of your comfort zone safely is how we learn.
Happy holidays, wherever you may choose to go this summer!
NewGen 11
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
nts at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at nts at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at nts at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at nts at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at nts at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at
Eid US Embassy
NewGen 12
MY BNK
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
ts at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at a ts at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at a ts at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at a ts at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at a ts at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at acf events at a
MY BNK TRAINING
& YOUTH CENTRE
NewGen 13
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
Moving towards the direction of my dreams
By Aqsa Latif
Apprenticeships
An age old question: university or apprenticeship? Well, rack your brains no more, today we will be looking at the facts.
Universities
Let’s start by imagining the dream. You finish university getting a first at your chosen subject, but then immediately you’re faced with a huge debt of £18,000! Calm down. Do not let this figure alarm you. When you actually break it down, you are only required to pay this back if you earn over £21,000 per annum. The government deducts this money at the same time as your tax and national insurance so you won’t even feel it, but when it comes to how much a graduate can earn, it varies depending in the industry. The most sought after industries are Banking, Law and Medicine. In banking you get up to £45,000/year and in law £35,000/year, when it doesn’t seem so bad however there is a fair amount of competition, so getting that dream job isn’t as it appear on paper.
Requirements /opportunities
Let’s not forget though that there are entry requirements for universities and these factors do affect your chances: not everyone is going to get into oxford or Cambridge. The system isn’t biased and everyone is judged on their merits, so simply you only get what you’ve put in.
When it comes to apprenticeships most people think it means completely abandoning your education, but that’s where they are wrong. Most, if not all, apprenticeships involve work and studying. Typically, you study 2 days a week and work 3 days a week. The most enticing part of this is that there is no debt after an apprenticeship. The average salary starts from £20,000/year while studying and working and the salary increases exponentially. If you’re doing a 3 year course you start at 20k and finish at 26k. After your course your earning potential is only limited by the industry you are in, but the average is £31,000/ year. What makes you stand out as an apprentice is that you gain valuable industry experience which employers are looking for and some apprenticeships offer you a chance to do a degree in a the specific field which also greatly increases your earning potential.
Requirements /opportunities
Requirements aren’t as strict as for university. The minimum requirement is an A to D at GCSE. However some apprenticeships in contrast apprenticeship have an age limit, unlike university which doesn’t. The typical age range for apprenticeships is 16 to 20 – catering for school leavers and university dropouts. Here’s a thought… Most off the celebrities that young people admire aren’t all ‘brain boxes’. For example Sir Alan Sugar didn’t go to university, was a school drop-out at the age of 16 and now he owns a business empire worth £ 770 million.
One very important thing is networking. At university you will be exposed to a wide range of people and it’s important to capitalise on the networking capabilities. An example is how all the London universities are connected, so you have access to all their data and facilities this further boosts your chances in realising your dreams as you have so many tools at your disposal.
NewGen 14
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
7 Quick Tips for Better Business Writing Here are seven simple pieces of advice for clear and concise business writing.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Limit prepositions when possible
5.
When overused, prepositions (or, about, with...) can weaken writing and contribute to wordiness. For example: “The meeting on December 1 about the budget” is sharper when written “The December 1 budget meeting.” Also watch out for prepositions following a verb, such as “come up with” or “find out.” Instead, you can use other verbs that don’t require a preposition such as “determine”.
Watch out for forms of the verb
“to be” such as am, are, is, was, were, being, and been. Usually you should aim for an active, not passive voice. “There are three things you can do to improve your golf game” is tighter when written “three things can improve your golf game.”
Overusing them reduces their impact. And never use more than one at the end of a sentence.
“Elmore Leonard wrote of exclamation marks: ‘You are allowed no more than two or three per 100,000 words of prose.’ Which means, on average, an exclamation mark every book and a half,” points out Stuart Jeffries of The Guardian. “In the ninth book of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, Eric, one of the characters insists that ‘Multiple exclamation marks are a sure sign of a diseased mind.’”
Avoid “very”
It smacks of laziness and indicates your sentence needs editing to pack a stronger punch. For example, consider: “The very tall man strode to the front of the line.” The phrase “very tall” doesn’t help a reader understand if the man is six feet tall or having to duck seven-foot doorways. How about: “Standing a head taller than everyone in the room the man strode to the front of the line.” The second version paints a much more vivid picture for the reader.
Use exclamation points sparingly
emails to five or fewer 6. Limit sentences
It might seem painful when you have so many important things to say. However, getting it read is more important than getting all that explanation in there. Preferably, try for three sentences. Your goal is to make it easy for [a recipient] to respond immediately from his smartphone,” advises 42Floors founder Jason Freedman.
7.
Read it aloud
Before delivering your writing to the recipient, read it aloud. Doing so will likely highlight any typos, missing words, or other errors you may not have spotted when reading it in your head. Source: www.inc.com
Don’t try to impress with jargon or big words Readers don’t appreciate grandstanding but do value an unclouded message.
NewGen 15
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
Ladies Initiative Women’s Coffee Morning By Zarka Qadir This month, our Women Only Coffee Morning was held in a different format. For our session of Thursday 30th July, we choose a more creative activity, as we had our Annual Street Party the following weekend (Sunday 2nd August 2015). From previous feedback, majority of the ladies wanted to do something a little different and more ‘hands on’ and possibly something that can involve their children, especially as its school holidays and the children are at home. This was the perfect opportunity for parents and children to do something together. So we all made little flags from different countries and stuck them onto cocktail sticks. The flags were Mexico, America, Jamaica, India, Pakistan and Kenya, and we used them as decoration for the table on which the food will be displayed. We also made some extra bunting and decorations for the street using a sewing machine. Everyone enjoyed contributing to the upcoming event, and all the attendees were invited to the street party along with their children. The atmosphere was full of joy! During the session, Zaheeda Manjoo, one of our member involved in a few companies which promote health, spoke about ‘halal’ skin care products like face creams, nail polish etc. She would like to come back and talk about a few other business ventures and we look forward to that.
What is it about? Our Women Coffee Morning is a free event that takes place, once a month, at the ACF Youth Centre. It is a great opportunity to meet new women and get to know each other in a friendly and safe environment. While drinking coffee and eating some biscuits, we discuss and exchange information on important topics. We give women a voice to speak about what is on their mind (open discussion).
The event was obviously too short so we agreed to follow up our discussions and activities next month. So join our group for our next Women Only Coffee Morning on Tuesday 25th August!
We would like to make our Coffee Mornings more productive and we are here to listen to your ideas. You can e-mail me with your suggestions at zarka@activechangefoundation.org
NewGen 16
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
Cancer: The Silent Killer By Abdul-Ghaffar Mahdi Cancer is a condition in which cells in a particular part of the body develop and reproduce uncontrollably. The cancerous cells can invade and destroy surrounding healthy tissue and we all have heard of someone or may know someone who is suffering or has died from cancer. This is why my article is based on Cancer Research in the UK. There are 200 types of known cancers. The most common ones, that affect a large number of people, are: • Bowel cancer • Testicular cancer • Ovarian cancer • Cervical cancer • Prostate cancer • Breast cancer • Ling cancer • Skin cancer • Leukaemia • Kidney cancer • Brain cancer And the list continues. Cancer not only has a very devastating effect on the patient but also on the relatives of the patient. It is a very common condition that affects over 300,000 people in the UK every year, this is why it is very important to understand the different types of cancers, their symptoms and take the appropriate step in contacting your GP and move forward from there. No one is immune to cancer. It can strike at any time even in the healthiest of people. The best advice I can give is to research so you are well informed about the symptoms of the various cancers as early diagnosis is the key. DONT DELAY!
Guidelines to help you avoid cancer
1. Avoid rigid diets or rigid lifestyles. Get at least ten minutes of exercise every day, such as a brisk walk. The more you do the better. 2. Limit consumption of highly seasoned food. 3. Avoid a high animal fat diet and limit red meat consumption. Eat fish, chicken, turkey. 4. Limit consumption of nitrite/nitrate treated food. For bottled water check the label for nitrite/nitrate content; the lower the better. 5. Avoid iron tablets and food with added iron, tinned food which may contain large quantities of iron 6. Avoid excessive exposure to the sun. Some exposure is necessary, however, for Vitamin D formation. 7. Limit frequent use of hair dyes. 8. Do not smoke and if possible avoid exposure to passive smoke. 9. If possible do not heat and reheat food. 10. Eat vegetables and fruit rich in carotenoids and flavonoids. They help protect tissues from free radical damage. 11. Eat fresh fruit, vegetables and nuts rich in folic acid. 12. Drink green tea (cancer-preventive properties).. 13. Use stainless steel or glass cooking utensils. 14. Avoid the use of talcum powder on babies during nappy change. 15. Avoid consuming very hot drinks or very hot food; this has been associated with cancer of the oesophagus 16. Vitamin A, present in dairy food and cod liver oil slows the growth of prostate tumours. 17. Whether the water pipes in your home are made of lead, plastic or copper let the water run for about 2 minutes in the morning before using any for drinking or cooking. 18. Underarm antiperspirants have been associated with breast cancer. A natural alternative could be (distilled) vinegar. Source: http://www.cancer-prevention-research.co.uk
NewGen 17
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
On The Ball - Rumours By Maxwell Adjei This summer’s transfers are going to be exciting, as there is a lot of talk going around but we don’t know if it’s true. Manchester United have been handed a boost in the race for Ilkay Gundogan, after European Champions Barcelona reportedly pulled out of a deal for the German midfielder. The 24-year-old, dubbed ‘the next Xavi’, has been lined up as a direct replacement for the outgoing Barcelona captain (who is set to join Qatari side Al-Sadd after 17 years in Catalonia). But, according to Onda Cero journalist, Alfredo Martinez - who flew back from Berlin with Barcelona after their Champions League triumph over Juventus – Gundogan will not be moving to the Nou Camp any time soon. Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich allegedly stalled over talks with Gundogan too, with his wage demands proving a stumbling block. This has made United favourites to land him this summer. Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has hinted that he is open to a Manchester United move, if David de Gea leaves for Real Madrid.
Arsenal and Chelsea target Sami Khedira believes he made the right choice in joining Juventus. The German sealed a switch to the Italian champions on Tuesday after his contract with Real Madrid expired. Prior to the move, the midfielder had been linked with the two Premier League sides but he says he made the right decision in joining Juventus. Jose Mourinho has received a boost in his quest to re-sign the highly-rated Frenchman: the man who is reportedly willing to leave Real Madrid in search of regular first-team football. The Blues boss sees the towering 22-yearold centre-back as the perfect longterm replacement for club hero John Terry (who is nearing the end of his Blues career), and at a fee as little as £22million. Micah Richards could be offered a chance to resurrect his career back in England with Everton. Atletico Madrid’s hopes of re-signing Chelsea defender Filipe Luis have been boosted after he was priced out of Inter Milan’s reach.
Andrea Pirlo has verbally agreed to join Chelsea legend Frank Lampard at New York City, according to reports in Italy. At 36, the midfielder is said to be considering his future as he moves into the final 12 months of his contract.
NewGen 18
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
On The Ball - Tennis By Maxwell Adjei Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic win at Wimbledon Despite being the top seed at Wimbledon, Novak Djokovic spent the fortnight as nobody’s darling. Instead the tournament seemed to be all about his final opponent, Roger Federer. Federer was the sentimental favourite and by the way he played, he established himself as the real-world favourite in the minds of many as well. Meanwhile Djokovic struggled -- he never looked quite as dominant as his record for the first six months of that season suggested. He was almost eliminated in the fourth round by Kevin Anderson, and, more importantly, Djokovic trailed Federer in almost every statistical category entering Sunday’s final. But as the afternoon waned and the Centre Court crowd approached nervous exhaustion, Djokovic mastered Federer in the final for the second year in a row and won his third Wimbledon title 7-6 (1), 6-7 (10), 6-4, 6-3. Serena Williams beat Garbine Muguruza 6-4, 6-4 on Saturday to win her sixth Wimbledon title and 21st Grand Slam overall. Before, during and after the match, the Twitter verse was engaged, to say the least. These days, when you mention the name Serena Williams and her dazzling 21 Grand Slam single titles, you will very quickly find yourself talking about her serve. The one thing all observers seem to agree upon, and the most inarguable element in her statistical record, is the superiority of that serve. It’s an open and shut case. Williams has the best and most effective serve ever seen in women’s tennis.
NewGen 19
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
Business Of The Month By Aqeel Hussain Every month, we celebrate the local businesses in Waltham Forest and commend them for their services to their community. Together, they are able to support and shape their community with their hard work, whilst creating jobs, opportunities and services to our residents. This month our business of the month is Ali Motors. Established over 25 years, Ali Motors supply car parts and accessories for most vehicles to private individuals and trade. They also have a great team of experienced mechanics who are ready to fit and repair any vehicle. Unlike some motor parts and accessories shops, Ali Motors are open 7 days a week, from 9:00am to 18:30pm and on Sundays 9:00am to 14.30pm. When asked about ACF, Ali tells us, “It’s amazing to have an organisation that cares for the community and provides so many services and support. We always see their outreach team out and about and they are always friendly.� In supporting our work, Ali Motors were heavily involved in organising and setting up our Annual Street party. We think that it is brilliant to have such support from one of our local business and hope others follow suit.
For your car parts and accessories, contact Ali Motors on 0208 556 5913, or visit them at 415 Lea Bridge Road, London, E10 7EA
NewGen 20
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
feta
Abdel
che
roui r e D h
Here at the Active Change Foundation we centre our work on the recognition of youth talent and potential. Each month, a member of our Youth Centre is chosen by ACF Outreach Team / member Hamza Abdulwahi to recognise their outstanding contribution. This month we are happy to announce Abdelfetah Derrouiche as youth of the month! Hamza is a 14 years old youth of Algerian and French origin. He is an enthusiastic member of ACF since he joined 3 years ago. He studies at George Mitchell, has great ambitions and hopes of a good life and a bright future. He comes to the centre to play and relax. “To me, ACF is an amazing place for fun and joy, where I can socialise and meet new people. I joined the organisation three years ago only. I have already learnt so much, and there is still so much to learn. I go to the youth centre to play pool, table tennis, and console games, but that’s just to name a few. There is also an internet cafe where you can sit down, do research and work. The team is always very helpful.” Abdelfetah He adds: “I have become much more confident since joining ACF, and I have met so many people who helped me as well. I have been part of the
first cohort of the Waltham Forest Young Leaders Programme, and recently I have participated in the My Bnk training. The programmes were both challenging and fun. My public speaking and leadership skills have improved, and I am ready to make a real contribution to the community.” Abdelfetah “ACF made me grow as a person, and as a leader. For all these reasons, I volunteer at ACF to set up outdoor activities such as the street party and sport competitions. I wish to be involved in all the upcoming projects and get further help with my studies and my future career.” Abdelfetah In addition, he appreciates how important the workshops organised by the Outreach Team are for the young people’s understanding of current issues. “ACF gives us a great deal of knowledge about gangs and criminal activities to help us avoid falling into those traps. The talks held at the centre are very helpful and educational. They explain us events/issues that are going on at a national and international level, and that may affect us as individuals. So for all those reasons and much more, the Youth Centre is ‘the’ place to go!” Abdelfetah
Youth
of the Month NewGen 21
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
Solution fo r last issu e
COFFEE BREAK
Puzzle: Carnivores
Across
Down
1. Singer of folk music (4,6) 6. Burrowing rodent (6) 7. Group of three persons (4) 10. Secret agents (5) 11. Short literary composition (5) 12. Sailor (3) 13. Freedom from war (5) 14. Poles (5) 16. Western pact (4) 18. Packet (6) 19. Hostile (10)
1. Armed strongholds (5) 2. Grease (9) 3. Unmarried woman (8) 4. Acquire (3) 5. Consecrated (4) 8. Started again (9) 9. Convince (8) 13. Football kick (4) 15. Resembling the sun (5) 17. Not on (3)
ALLIGATOR BOBCAT CHEETAH COUGAR DINGO FERRET
HYENA JACKAL JAGUAR LEOPARD LION MINK
MONGOOSE OCELOT TIGER VULTURE WOLF
sue Solution for last is
Puzzle: UK Murcury 5
NewGen 22
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015
COFFEE MORNING th
TUESDAY 25 AUGUST 2015 11AM – 1PM TOPIC: HEALTHY LIVING
THROUGH SPORTS AND EXERCISE - Basketball competition (come and beat the highest score). - Fun activities with your Children. - Group exercise. - Come and discuss what other topics or activities you may be interested in.
453 LEABRIDGE ROAD, LEYTON E10 7EA TEL: 0208 2791258 http://www.activechangefoundation.org/ Charity Reg No. 1125970 NewGen 23
www.activechangefoundation.org
July 2015