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MOJATU News RoundUp SEASONAL PRODUCE Importance WHO Mental Health Report
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Editor’s Welcome
also provides audio-visual and solution journalism training to young people.
In 2019, Mojatu Foundation has been incredibly busy with activities impacting on lives of people within the community we operate. We held series of trainings on FGM, mental health related issues, IT applications, digital storytelling, solution journalism, audio-visual production, radio presentation and programming, driving theory sessions among other relevant areas.
HAKUNA MATATA
During our FGM training sessions, we raise awareness and educate people about the dangers FGM poses, which breaches our physical and psychological health and human rights. Our main goal is to continue fighting against FGM worldwide. We have registered giant strides in combating crimes in our communities by collaborating with influential people from different communities. We continue to be in the forefront in the fight against knife crime, postcode violence and other forms of hate crimes. At Mojatu, we offer a helping hand to victims and perpetrators of crime and contribute to their rehab processes. We conduct community engagement workshops, community conversations where issues affecting us in our environs are identified, discussed and tangible solutions are highlighted. The BAME community has been the nucleus of our operations and through the help of volunteers and collaborators, we have registered significant gains in reshaping the narratives. We created youth, women and elderly participatory activities tailored at changing concepts and perspectives which do not relate well to our desires. One of which is the creation of the Basement Studio, FYA and FMB Radio. FMB Radio amplifies authentic community voices and encourages programmes and activities of great importance to various communities in Nottingham. The production unit
Editorial Group Editor: Frank Kamau – frank@mojatu.com Managing Editor: Pa Modou Faal Graphic Design / Photos: Robert Borbely Contributors: FMB Radio Team | Pa Modou Faal Angela Wathoni | Anna Nagy| Julia Paul Emily Wong | Laura McCartan | FYA Team Joan Muraguri IT / Social Media: Laura McCartan Sales & Marketing / Community Engagement: Abdoulie Jah - jah@mojatu.com Kevin Price - kevin.price@mojatu.com Edwin Ubah - eddy@mojatu.com Accounts: John Gordon - accounts@mojatu.com
Pa Modou Faal - Managing editor - Pa@mojatu.com
Contents News & Sports Mojatu News Round up............................................... 4-6 A conspiracy against me................................................. 7
Community Refugee roots ..................................................................... 9 Sherriff Ifadiola personality .........................................10 Nottingham Kurdish Women ......................................14 Basement Studio .............................................................15
Arts & Culture Maasai Awareness Against FGM ................................18
Health & Food Importance of Seasonal Produce ..............................19 WHO Mental health report ..........................................20
Education & Career GAIN Diaspora Research Report ................................22
Cover
Paula Pontes
Mojatu Media Disclaimer The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot take responsibility for errors, omissions, nor can we accept responsibility for the advertisements or editorial contributions.
Admin: Penny Cooper - penny@mojatu.com News & Comments: news@mojatu.com Getting the magazine Online @ www.mojatu.com/magazines Subscription @ £24 per year including postage subs@mojatu.com Address: Mojatu 167 Alfreton Road, Nottingham, NG7 3JR T: 0115 8457 009 | 0751 6962 992 Facebook: www.facebook.com/mojatu Twitter: www.twitter.com/mojatumedia Printers: Mojatu Media
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MOJATU NEWS ROUNDUP Black Achievers Awards 2019. The 5th edition of The Black Achievers Awards (BAA) was held at the East Midlands Conference Centre on October 5, 2019 with the aim of honouring black people and showcasing positive role models in the community. The BAA was initiated in 2012 by the former Lord Mayor of Nottingham (2013-2014) Merlita Brayan who was then serving as City Councillor for Arboretum Ward before becoming the Sheriff of Nottingham in 2012-2013. The event brought together various individuals and sponsors. The Nottingham Police and Nottinghamshire Police and the Crime Commissioner were among the main sponsors for this event with the objective of building positive relationship between the BME community and the police. The Rising Star award was won by our Joan Gathoni while Abdoulie Jah grabbed the Community Volunteer.
serve as a springboard to unity. He highlighted the need to exhibiting typical village lifestyle of Africans as a platform where Black culture, tradition and heritage could be showcased meaningfully and thereby making it easy to the journey of root tracing. Other activities marking the month-long celebration was question and answer session with a panel of guests comprising former football professionals, coaches and administrators at the Queens Walk Community Centre in the Meadows. The Notts F.A in collaboration with and Inspire to Succeed CIC held the session to assess the factors for the difficulties and problems black people face in their quest for sports glory. A cross section of the public attended the programme where black athletes like Calvin Plummer, Ian Benjamin, Norris Stewart and Karl White among others took the stage during the discussions. There was also an exhibition of Black British players at the ceremony.
Commonwealth Reception, November 2019
FGM
More than 150 Commonwealth citizens attended a reception held at the Council House in Nottingham to celebrate the contribution their countries have made to the county’s heritage, success and prosperity. The reception which was hosted by the Lord-Lieutenant, Sir John Peace, marked the 70th anniversary of the creation of the Commonwealth whose roots go back to the days of the British Empire. Historically, the city and county have long-standing relationships with Commonwealth countries through trade and education, more recently welcoming those who have chosen to live here making it their permanent home.
The Mojatu Foundation has been conducting training on community education in areas affecting our societies and communities. One key area has been running a campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM) which started since 2014 after reports of over 200 cases in Nottingham. Since it is a very difficult matter, a positive approach on how to talk about it in a dignified way was very challenging but paramount.
Many of the citizens from Commonwealth countries settled in Nottingham in the late 1940s onwards becoming stalwart members of the community, helping to rebuild Britain after the ravages of the second world war and supporting the then newly established National Health Service. Black History Month Celebration As part of events marking the celebration of Black History Month, the Hyson Green Youth Centre played host to another organiser of activities commemorating the occasion. The organiser Abdoulie Jah who is a common figure in the Hyson Green area, told Mojatu Magazine that in other to compliment this year’s theme; "Black Migrations”, the need to create a link between Blacks in the diaspora and blacks at home in Africa should be the an area of focus which will eventually
It was very difficult involving survivors and bringing in men in the conversation because they have a part to play in helping victims defeat the trauma attached to FGM. FGM is a very personal subject to discuss while in some cultures, talking about it openly is taboo. Engaging influential people and survivors within our communities as well as faith and community leaders has been the benchmark for the success registered. More than 80 community members have been involved in the campaign (men, women, young and old). As an activist and campaigner Valentine Nkoyo have been involved in national and international conversations and campaigns around FGM as over 135,000 girls and women in the UK have been affected and over 200 million globally. Even though it has been declared illegal in the UK since 1985, in Nottingham alone, between 2016 and 2017 about 85 known cases were reported while the unreported remain unknown. Most cases happen between the ages of 5 and 13 – these are children who do not understand what
Nottingham connected is happening to them and the kind of pain they go through until they are much older. The best way to change behaviours and attitudes towards FGM is through the involvement of children at an early age and the need to get people participate in dialogues regarding such practice. How can we challenge FGM confidently and sensitively without stigmatising affected communities? • • • •
The need to have a professional curiosity and increase training/awareness for frontline professionals Using influence of people with status and influence in our communities Involvement of survivors so that they can share their stories and experiences and take part in finding solution The use of social media and to incorporate FGM questions in social workers and health visitors’ assessments.
There is a need for more awareness raising in new and emerging communities as people moving to new countries are more likely to carry on traditions to retain identity. FGM is not an African problem only and it still takes place in the UK, but it stays hidden. Through the Ambassadors of Change we were able to bring together a group of Imams and Pastors as role models in their respective communities. This crosscultural discussion allowed different communities to discuss FGM during our training sessions and what they understood about the practice. Coming away from the training, the community leaders felt empowered to act as agents of change and ensure that their respective communities were not only aware of the problems with FGM but had practical and sensitive ways to deal with the issue. A group of young people also underwent their own training sessions where specific issues affecting young people, particularly those from BME and new and emerging communities were discussed. We continue to run FGM training sessions throughout the year and expanding our incredible team of ambassadors. If you are interested in joining us, or having a training session, please email edith@mojatu. com to find out more. Farmeco Community Care Farm Legacy Trees. Over 20 participants derived from FGM survivors, advocates, doctors and health providers were held a legacy tree exercise in honour of FGM survivors and
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their promise to end FGM by 2030. The event was held at Farmeco in partnership with Mojatu with the objective of raising awareness against the practice of FGM within our communities in the UK and beyond. Many participants and ambassadors fighting for the FGM community erected plaques close by where the legacy tree was planted. Prayers were said at the meeting in respect of those who have lost their life to this practice, and for those who have endured it and those who liberate against it. Community Perceptions of Stop & Search In a drive to break barriers and build a trustworthy relationship between Nottinghamshire Police and BAME communities for effective policing, a major transformation has been ongoing in recent years to promote fair and intelligence driven Stop & Search without fears of discrimination and unwarranted profiling. To provide a clearer picture of community perceptions towards police Stop & Search procedure, and hopefully inform policy change regarding Stop & Search, INSPIRED-SUCCEED & Fearless Youth Association carried out a collaborative research into BAME community perceptions of Stop & Search culture in Nottinghamshire with data collected on basis of people's experiences and public perceptions. 45% of respondents have been stopped & searched a total of 2-5 times, whilst 3% of respondents have been stopped and search between 15-20 times. 50% of respondents reported that police explanations of why they were carrying out stop & search were unclear while 70% reported being initially stopped & searched on suspicion of carrying a dangerous weapon. On the respondents who have been stopped and searched, 25% felt targeted, 25% felt angry and 13% felt disrespected. 83% of the respondents reported feeling discriminated against by Nottinghamshire Police. 54% of respondents felt that when they were being searched, police procedures were either partially or completely unprofessional. On the other hand, 8% of all respondents reported feeling informed about their rights; should they be stopped and searched by the police. 72% of total respondents said that even if they were fully informed about their rights, they would not feel comfortable enough to alert officers or make a future complaint through fear of escalating the severity of their situation.
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About 47% of respondents reported that they felt discriminated against by police based on their race and ethnicity. 97% of respondents have been stopped & searched when they were not committing any criminal offence, even though Police and Community Officers used reasonable grounds to suspect criminal activity to sanction Stop & Search; and 57% of the respondents felt they were stopped and searched at random. Smile to the Summit…Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro A Leeds born Stockholm based adventurerphilanthropist Lee Neary embarked on his three-decade old dream of climbing to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro (5895m), Tanzania. Lee (34) who is accompanied by his girlfriend Åsa Svensson (33), started the adventurous journey in December 2019 with the objective of raising funds and awareness for education projects in SubSaharan countries and community development for minorities through Smile Mission. Smile Mission is a Swedish-Ugandan based non-profit organization looking to make a progressive impact on disenfranchised communities around sub-Saharan Africa. Commenting on the adventurous challenge of a lifetime, the couple told Mojatu Magazine, “we’re pretty nervous but excited; and under no illusion that this will be a walk in the park, so to speak. Neither of us have tried summiting a volcano before”. In 2018, (July 22nd – August 6TH) Lee completed a 322km hike along the famous Camino de Frances. Stepping off the train in Léon (Spain), Lee embarked on a two-week adventure starting from Leon (Spain) through record breaking temperatures, across mountains, valleys and plains – following the sun west all the way to Santiago de Compostela, the capital of northwest Spain’s Galicia region. The Smile Mission representative and volunteer Lee was able to raise some money for Mojatu Foundation and a school in Uganda. Festivals The Hyson Green Cultural Festival was held at Forest Fields in Hyson Green. This year’s festival was the 5th edition and brought together people from different walks of life. There were different performers on stage, various stalls, sports and fun activities for the children and a health corner which offered free advice, guidance and testing in different areas including HIV, Diabetes and Mental Health.
Children enjoyed the bouncy castles and had colouring workshops and crafts, face painting and graffiti while adults enjoyed live music and cultural performances. An African Farm festival was also held in the summer. Attendants from different areas of Nottingham converged at the FAMECO farm where different activities were organised ranging from live music, a walk in the farm, food and African jewellery and artifacts exhibition, goat racing, to other forms of fanfare. An Inter-faith football tournament was also held in the summer with the view to fostering inter-faith relations within the community through sports. The event brought together participants and attendants from the Muslim and Christian communities in the city. The initiative was laudable and well appreciated by attendants, collaborators and sponsors. Mojatu Fundraising Gig On the 8th of March on International Women’s day, Valentine Nkoyo, Mandy Pride and Beth Hanna in association with Cultural Vibrations organised a fundraising gig at the Maze, all the money raised during the showcase went to aid girls in the Maasai communities in Kenya, where the presence of practices like child marriage and FGM are prominent. The funds also aided girls to have access to education, which was vital in empowering female voices in rural communities. Women Sports In 2019, in order to help women to feel healthier and confident, Mojatu ran weekly women only sport sessions which attracted a growing number of attendants each week. We are looking forward to continuing this activity and use it as a medium to support and raise more awareness on issues pertaining to FGM through survivors, women empowerment and a healthy living Our organizations aim is not only to end FGM, but also we try to support those survivors.
Nottingham connected
News & Sports
A Conspiracy against me…Calvin Plummer Edited by Pa Modou Faal
Calvin Plummer was a football professional born in Nottingham. Mr Plummer had his topflight footballing career with Nottingham Forest playing as a right winger under manager Brian Clough. His rise to stardom became tainted when he was accused of agreeing as a “black player” to play in an unofficial tour of South Africa when the days of apartheid were rife and activism against “white supremacy” was stern. Plummer was criticised by the media and many activists for his alleged involvement in that tour. He was availed with the opportunity to speak to a crowd of over hundred men and women at a ceremony held at the Queen Walk Community Centre in the Meadows, Nottingham, during events marking the celebration of the 2019 Black History Month in October. The concerned looking former Nottingham Forest professional said that there have been a lot of misconceptions regarding his trip to South Africa in 1982 and “I want to set the records straight here and make it very clear that my story was misconstrued and told wrongly”, he revealed. Mr Plummer said in these words: “I was 18yrs, young, talented and wanted to play football. I was offered a contract by Brian Clough as the youngest and only black player to go to South Africa and represent black players among ‘white’ European players. I want to make this very clear that I was selected to represent black players”. He said upon arrival in South Africa, they were taken to Soweto where they were supposed to play against the South African side Kaizer Chiefs. “I was privileged to train alongside the likes of Mario Kempes of Argentina which I was very proud of as a young player. And when we walk on the streets of Soweto, the black community there treated me like a king, and they were very happy to see a black player amid top European players representing black people”. He said he can still remember the cheers and support the people accorded to him when he was warming up on the side-lines. He said there was a telephone call that changed the whole narratives and unevenly rendered the equation. He said “I had this phone call and I was asked not to play because if I played all the players were going be banned from playing football. At this time, I felt disappointed but there was not much I could do than to comply and I did not play. Upon my return, there were journalists around and all of them asking question”. He said he knew he was innocent and was wrongly judged and represented because he just went to play football and he was not aware of the political situation then in South Africa. Even though the same manager Brian Clough offered him a contract again at Forest and he continued playing, he said he still holds the belief that he is innocent, and his footballing career was rubbed off him as a result of fake and wrong news. Mr Plummer still has the conviction that he went to play football in South African and not in exchange for any token. “I did not even play any match because I was not allowed to”, he insisted. “The international political situation cost me my career through the controversies and conspiracies levelled against me, but I remain firm in my position”, he concluded.
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AWATE EDUCATIONAL CENTRE Awate Educational Centre is registered as a Limited Organisation in June 2019 in Nottingham. The centre which is housed at 200A on the Ilkeston Road, NG7 3HG, was created to educate, embolden, empower refugees, mainly from Eritrea, and help them integrate with the local community by getting them involved in different local events and programs. Since its inception, the centre has quickly been serving its purpose as a meeting place for refugees, asylum seekers and members of Eritrean community living in Nottinghamshire. The traditional drawings and paintings in the centre remind them of their cultural diversity and serve as a benchmark for keeping them together. The centre provides activities for its members which include the provision of live sporting events on Tv, pool table among other local Eritrean in-door games. The centre also conducts English language literacy classes to help those who find it difficult to settle in England as a result of language barrier. Awate Educational Centre also works with the City Council and other organisations to provide professional and legal advice to those in need especially in the areas of migration and asylum seeking. The centre also organises movie nights showcasing films from different Refugee countries. Such sessions are followed by Q & A from a panel on how Nottingham can help with the current refugee crisis. As an emerging community in Nottingham, Awate works with Mojatu in creating community support activities and conversations with the view to keeping them abreast with their surrounding and providing them with helpful information in running the centre. If you are interested in getting involved, please visit the Awate Centre on a Sunday for a chat, and great coffee.
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COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTORS Refugee Roots The Refugees Roots formerly known as The Rainbow Project has its origins in the year 2001 at St Stephens with St. Pauls in Hyson Green. Its current address is The Vine Community Centre, Bobbers Mill Rd, Hyson Green Nottingham, NG7 5GZ. The aim of this Christian Charity was to create an inclusive and multicultural church that eventually led to providing support and befriending asylum seekers and refugees throughout their journey. They provide an environment where the dignity, self-respect, values and cultures of an individual are embraced, encouraged and welcomed. They provide a range of empowerment services such as accompanying asylum seekers to their appointments, advice and guidance and activities for groups such as free English conversation classes for those who want to improve their spoken English. They are currently offering training called the Asylum Guide which is a project that Refugee Action has developed to support Asylum seekers with legal information and literacy. Refugee Roots also provides training to volunteers and give them the necessary tools to become Asylum guides. The work that Refugee Roots is doing in the community goes a long way to create stability among the refugees and asylum seekers and let them feel like Nottingham is a place they can call home and they can have hope of rebuilding their lives and healing from traumatic events that would have otherwise caused them long term grief and hopelessness.
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Mojatu Female Personality of the year The Sheriff of Nottingham for 2019-2020 is a woman of colour with African origin. Sheriff Patience Uloma Ifediora was elected to office as the Councillor for Aspley Ward in 2015. The relevance of her appointment as Sheriff of the city of Nottingham reiterates importance of the legacy of Robin Hood in nurturing, promoting and upholding the history of Nottingham. As key among the roles of the Sheriff is welcoming visitors to the city and making them feel home, Patience Uloma Ifediora is honoured to serve this noble office. Her appointment serves as a huge milestone in BAME communities as it will encourage people in minority communities to challenge their potentials to the fullest in every sector of life. The Sheriff was born and raised in Enugu, Nigeria and relocated to London in 1998. Councillor Ifediora moved into Nottingham in 2006 and has worked for Nottingham City Council before becoming a councillor. Sheriff Ifediora who holds a BA in History and Masters in Political Science, made history by becoming the first woman from African origin to be elected as a Councillor in Nottingham City. She has served on many committees, including overview and scrutiny, young people and health scrutiny committees, trusts and charities, among others. The Sheriff has been a member of the board of directors of Nottingham City Homes and standing committee for Religious Education, SACRE and has represented Nottingham City Council in many other functions. She is also involved in community events and has established food bank in various places in Nottingham in collaboration with different local organizations. Mojatu Magazine is pleased to award the 2019 Mojatu Female Personality of the Year to the Sheriff of Nottingham 2019-2020 Patience Uloma Ifediora for her tremendous achievement. Sheriff Ifediora has proven herself against the odds and becomes one of the most respected citizens of the City of Nottingham. She serves as a role model and an inspirational figure to members of the BAME community especially African women.
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Mojatu Male Personality of the year - Mr Delroy Brown Mr Delroy Brown is the Chairman of the Afro Caribbean National Artistic (ACNA) Centre since 2016. He has lived in England for over 56 years and came to Nottingham in 1983 after graduating from Hull University.
in an interview with Mojatu Magazine, Delroy Brown said as a citizen of Nottingham, he loves what he does; with the view to improving the lives of everyone living in Nottingham. He felt he could do his best by ensuring that the black community had a place in planning the future of how Nottingham would become with black people being an active member in the decision making and incorporating their culture and history in making Nottingham a richer place to live.
He started his work at the Ukaidi Community Link Project as a Unit Coordinator. He then moved on to work for the Nottingham County Council and the City Council as an inhouse trainer and later became the service manager for Staff Development and Training. In 1999, Mr Brown became the manager of ACNA after holding the position of Director of NCVS.
He describes himself as a community influencer working with Politicians, Community activists and all members of the locality in creating solutions to local problems/issues and planning how to celebrate each other’s cultures.
While working for the City Council Mr Brown was a very active member of the community in a number of local African - Caribbean Management committees such as Nottingham Black Initiatives as well as being a Director of New College Nottingham for 13 years where he played a major role in re-establishing the college as a major force in further education. He is now a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal as a lay member for the Ministry of Justice. When I asked Mr Brown how he would describe himself,
“What is very important is that there is a consistent presence and representation in local forums and more importantly trying to encourage the next generation of young black people to have the confidence in themselves and to represent their communities.” –¬ Mr Brown In recognition of his services to the City of Nottingham, the BME community and the country at large, Mojatu Magazine finds Delroy Brown to be a role model in our community and as one worthy of emulation, acknowledgement and celebration. In this regard, Mr Delroy Brown has been awarded with our Mojatu Male Personality of the Year
Mojatu Personal Contributors VERONICA BARNES Veronica Barnes is the founder of Blue Mountain Women Group, initially set up to support women with African-Caribbean and African backgrounds at the time of their menopause. Veronica who is also a founder member of the Nottingham-based Slave Trade Legacies heritage project, volunteers most of her time to educating and championing projects around race and social justice. She is also one of the pioneering women who set up Blue Mountain Women enterprise to reach out to the women of African and Jamaican heritage in a creative way. Veronica earns a huge amount of respect within Nottingham for her efforts and contributions towards the community.
The enterprise is named after the Blue Mountains of Jamaica which serve as a reminder to the joys and challenges of health, particularly sickle cell and the menopause. The Blue Mountain Women’s Group was set up as women’s community-based group organising awareness seminars on issues surrounding menopause and women with the view to providing information which will enable them to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing. Blue Mountain Women are now working on a new Black History collection with Nottinghamshire Archives, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund. As senior person in the African and African-Caribbean communities, Veronica who is a wonderful figure of a woman and certainly does not look her age, still continues to make beautiful bags and cards.
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KEIREN THOMPSON…
Male Youth Mojatu Personality of the Year Thirteen years after an attack on his life that left him hospitalised for over two weeks, Keiren Thompson, now a youth volunteer, has been named the ‘Mojatu Male Youth Personality of the year’. Mr Thompson who suffered swelling to the brain and seizures in the weeks after the attack in April of 2006 in St Ann’s, also had a catheter fitted and was left with a permanent scar to the back of his head. In recognition of his contributions in raising awareness against crime and youth violence; and keeping children motivated away from crime, Keiren was decorated with the Sports Personality of the Year 2019 at the “BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero Awards” held in Aberdeen in December 2019. Thompson runs a community project in Nottingham called 'Helping Kids Achieve'. The project which started in January 2019, attracts children through activities in the areas of basketball, dance and multi-sport sessions.
'Helping Kids Achieve' project brings together about seventy children every week and five volunteer coaches at the Bulwell Riverside Centre and Southglade Leisure Centre with the aim of keeping them off the streets and instilling a bond of friendship in them. On Mondays he runs a young women's group, which includes dancing and multi-sports, and runs basketball sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Mr Thompson conducts similar activities every Friday at the place where he was attacked in 2006 in the Brewsters Estate in St. Ann’s. Asked why he chose to go back to the place where he was assaulted, he told Mojatu magazine that “it is to stop young people becoming perpetrators or victims of knife/postcode crimes or gang mobs, just like I was”. In light of our positive awareness engagements and crime free community participatory efforts in Nottinghamshire and beyond, recognising the likes of Keiren Thompson will serve as motivation to so many other volunteers within our communities who continue to make immense positive differences in the lives of youths and other vulnerable people.
Personal Contributors to Mojatu PASTOR JULIA PAUL If you want to see a busy woman speak to Pastor Julia Paul. Here you will find somebody who is unassuming yet a fountain of creativity and personality. Having established herself in Nottingham with a family, Pastor Julia is responsible for delivering training packages to various client groups who come to Mojatu; one of which we can name as the Ambassadors of Change Project where she engaged the young people and the faith leaders with the view to giving them overall understanding of issues of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and the psychological impact and trauma it causes. She also contributes immensely in creating an understanding as to how to overcome this cultural practice for it to become something of the past of many traditional Africans.
Pastor Julia has the ability communicate and expand the understanding for people who have a narrow view regarding FGM. As one of the frontline volunteers, we can see the difference in her contribution and many trainees have felt the impact she has made on their lives as well as the transitions to their understanding of some of these issues during training programs. As a FUTURES Training project leader, Mojatu recognises her as a community champion where she is expanding the issues and arguments for the development of Women looking at Healthcare and Hospitality, and developing skills in this area which will help in the future employment for these women. These are the strengths that she brings to the Mojatu team and we feel with her versatile skills of presentation and training this can only help Mojatu to grow from strength to strength as a community group empowering our local women and families.
various organisations UK In today’s web-orientated world there is around a hugethedem service, free of charge to these 13 Nottingham connected Community development. Almost allthis organisations and professions groups. of influence or those doing own business. Gaining sk Mojatu Female Youth Personality of the Year. website is a highly marketable skill. Who are these vulnerable groups? NADIA WHITTOME
the uncertainties of BREXIT; The youngest MP in the country is a 23-year-old hate and knife crimes are EU nationals in care local g EU with or without a born deal, the inTheyNottingham…with woman of colour, Nadia Whittome to a Punjabi You will be required to: Sikh father and a catholic Anglo-Indian mother. Her leading hate care crimehomes and some nt has set up an EU Settlement hospitals, mother who is solicitor, was also a member of the prevention practitioners, • Identify different website purposes, a residents, who have beenfeatures here for lo hichLabour urges Party. all EU, EEA and Swiss including front line workers one client who have been here for 50 living thegraduate United Kingdom Plan basictoofwebsite (5 pages) from a specified Nadia,in a •law from the aUniversity Nottingham, earlier dropped out of university due to Discussions on strategies so she thought she did not settings have to r d legalise•their stay in the country. a website given brief financial reasons. During thisCreate period, she worked as a and based actions on to raise she did.in tackling Clients with mental health i r Pa Modou Faal hostedInc, the hate crime project worker at Communities and as awareness FGM • Test website created – Navigation, Links, Searc a carer; and was involved in different types of activism and women related issues who are illi on Adviser from the Law Centre; other disabilities, clients within Nottingham and beyond. While studying, she • Use at least one Content Management System Community conversations only computer illiterates but canno ci, who with the Officefor becameworks the Student Union’s Ag.Home General Secretary issues affecting the BME Network of the university. write in their own applicants through the process of on BAME communities, an language and Rom becoming the Memberform. of Parliamentary she small is passionate These minorities of the EU. to he Before settlement status Belowfor This course will youarea the knowledge and tools Nottingham East (December 2019), Nadiagive contested about. view which was heldCounty at the Hyson for the 2017 Nottinghamshire Council election Honourable Member of Parliament continues professional website. YouThe get access to / toWo Iswill there a strategy in Joomla place at all? as the Labour candidate for the West Bridgford West th Centre where they operate, and offer her services to activism against racism, inequality, ward but lost it to the Conservative candidate. hostility towards immigrants, homelessness, with a warning: During her campaign trail, she promised to take home deportation of the other a We want toWindrush reachgeneration out toamong as many only £35,000 of her £79,468 salary and give the rest areas. Nadia is also known for her support for young to letnew them Scheme Keythis Informa ur name, your and to local causes androle charities. The the “Baby of the House” people, and know emerging that communities, climate as she is fondly called because she is the youngest change, the working class, mental health related a them, we are here to help them on you work with? MP, Whittome says she did not mean to imply that issues, women and youth empowerment through help them to register on the EU S politicians do not deserve such amount of money; community engagement. 30 Hours Free but everyone deserve a pay rise and that until when scheme. Wepossesses have many advisor to deal with the EU Settlement As someone who all these qualities as firefighters, teachers, nurses, carers get a pay rise, then a young lady of colour and a law maker for that m got another advisor who helps n behalf government who she will notof takethe hers. ” Flexible Level 1efforts (3 Cred matter, Mojatu Magazine recognises and application from start her to finish. W nsure allhasEU nationals areMojatu registered Nadia been very active with in different contributions toward the transformation of the city areas such Nottingham into a more tolerant, multi-cultural them platforms and laptops if there cheme by as: December 14+ 2020 if the UK ofand Classroom, onl diverse city for everyone; with our Female Youth tackle clients who know how to do it but ope Community withoutConversation a deal, if around not ithow willtostop Personality of the Year. website projectn bit of help, just in case they get stuc by 2021.
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drop-in in Mansfield; my colleague Are there any costs to the applicatio n goes to the Deaf Society every 14 Community mojatu.com hursday and I am going to do a drop- No. Our services are completely free. T a huge demand for people in web design and doing the application is completely fr einton Strake Centre because thereskilled are IN THE KURDISH WOMEN PARTICIPATION THE NOTTINGHAM COMMUNITY should cost at all. We received a ew EU nationals in that professions have andarea. require websites andbesonodo people Nergiz Kurdish Women’s group was established Cancer, share their challenges and strengthen the bonds from the Home Office, it covers post Gaining skillsofofcreating creating andandmaintaining multimedia with the intention independence of sisterhood that they have created amongst themselves. e had some information frominGrantham need to post documents away, so th empowerment of the Kurdish women Nottingham. Talking to the Kurdish women, what is so special about re An is quite a few (EU nationals) there so costis to client at all. in planning their opportunity to meet the founders of the group was them theirthe bravery and ingenuity very eye opening especially when they tell their stories routes to get to England. Their bravery is evident in terms hristmas I will go and see if they need of triumph and perseverance to have a better life for of overcoming the problems in their home country; firstly, if they have to send their ID d e, Ithemselves can goand there onceThe a group month andissues do inOnly their families. addresses dealing with war conditions and being determined by within the Kurdish the women such as leaving Kurdistan. for example, then they would have to pplications. Wecommunity are not only face making s, features and structures language barriers (English language), domestic violence, postage to send it to the Home Office Looking into their eyes and listening to their tales, comes hamshire aware that we aretrainings here,thatbut the Kurdish community with the are with the feeling that they miss their home country deeply malso alinking specified brief / for specific industry nothat cost involved at all, it is completely available for womento to gain prepared goskills to from. these areas as and they have a strong need to come together and settings They havethis achieved so much within short period. drief deliver service just to aensure thatA celebrate their culture, and also demonstrate to others partnership between them and FMB Radio is in the horizon the beauty of their culture. get They are grateful with to How can people in very contact reach these vulnerable people. Links, Search Engine where they will be provided withOptimisation a platform to come etc) Nottingham for the way they have been accepted by further information? up with authentic community conversations on issues the local communities in terms of their acceptance and ment System Joomla or WordPress confronting them. The group started coffee mornings hospitality. anwhere EU society that can talk to new and women would meet to discuss issues such as Breast I am here five days a week. I am ng communities? anybody can nd tools to create, manage and runaccessible, a great business or come in, dro ur coordinator Fiona Cameron has ask to make an appointment with u oomla / WordPress premium features. met with a Romanian lady who lives in we have quite a few people comin d and we have already set up a meeting to make appointments. On our ad Fiona and I will go there and we will material, my phone numbers are th eyEUInformation nationals in her (the Romanian email address is there, phone me, mmunity, so we will go there and do it. email and I can book the appo straight away. e Access to Hosting, rds to the Information sharing and I urgeName all EU &nationals to register as , who people look to for this?Domain el 1 (3should Credits) possible, don’t leave premium Joomla & it to the last min ssroom, online possible because once you mmigration advice.& We are regulated WordPress by as soon asfeatures Csite (Office of the Immigration Services it, it is out of the way and you don’ project ssioner). To give immigration advice worry about it.
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Nottingham connected
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Health & Food
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18 Arts & Culture
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MAASAI AWARENESS AGAINST FGM THROUGH BHM COMMEMORATION As part of activities marking the celebration of Black History Month (BHM) in the United Kingdom, a Maasai group from Kenya joined ranks with the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) awareness advocacy group in England to raise awareness on the hazards and complications this menace has caused in both the rural and urban setups in Kenya in particular but globally as a whole. The group which was headed by John and Daniel were hosted by our renowned Anti-FGM campaigner, Valentine Nkoyo. The Maasai people have very rich culture and are often featured on the Kenyan Tourism Industry; but according to John and Daniel FGM has been a threat to the people and their culture especially against the girl child. NAE Chief Executive Receives Queens MBE The CEO and Director of New Art Exchange (NAE), Skinder Hundal, has been awarded with the Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) as part of the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his contribution to visual arts. Mr Hundal successful leadership did not go unnoticed at the New Art Exchange as he stirred the organisation through a significant period of growth and development, achieving a strong reputation for creating high quality adventurous art, and bringing international culturally diverse art to the UK. Upon receiving the award, Hundal said that it is a privilege to work in the arts, especially with an organisation that was born from roots communities in an inner-city, multi-ethnic and working-class neighbourhood. Hundal is also Executive Producer and Artistic Director for Nottingham Arts Mela and previously chair of Europe’s Premiere Indian classical festival, Darbar and a trustee at Primary artist studios New Art Exchange (NAE) is a contemporary arts space in Nottingham that celebrates the region’s cultural richness and diversity. It is the largest gallery in the UK dedicated to culturally diverse contemporary visual arts and their programme of activity, comprising exhibitions, tours, public engagement, learning, talent development and international projects.
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Health & Food
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Importance of Seasonal Produce When fruits and vegetables are picked for consumption that have been naturally ripened on the vine or the tree and harvested at the right time, it will have much more flavour and nutrition than when artificially ripened. Artificially ripened produce changes texture and taste before it goes onto the shelves hence greatly reduces the flavour and nutrients. Perhaps another tangible benefit of eating seasonally is that it will save you money on food. When you buy food that is in season, you buy what is at the peak of its supply, and costs less to farmers and distribution companies to harvest and get to your grocery store. Researchers from the Austrian Consumers Association confirm that vegetables picked and frozen when in season are higher in nutrients than those flown in out of season from abroad. The British Nutrition Federation recommends that people eat fruits and vegetables in season because fresh fruit and vegetables have higher vitamin C content, and they are also cheaper and more available. Food that isn’t in season has usually travelled huge distances to get to us and Vitamins degrade over time and with storage, so the fresher the better. Also, if things have been in transit for a long time, vitamin C levels go down. When your food travels around the world to get to you, it uses lots of energy which means lots of greenhouse gases; and the longer the shelf life of the produce, the more preservatives to add to it. Produce which is in season tends to also be local food, which means much lower greenhouse gas emissions.
20 Health & Food
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WHO MENTAL HEALTH REPORT 2019 One in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Around 450 million people currently suffer from such conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide. Treatments are available, but nearly two-thirds of people with a known mental disorder never seek help from a health professional. Stigma, discrimination and neglect prevent care and treatment from reaching people with mental disorders. Where there is neglect, there is little or no understanding. Where there is no understanding, there is neglect. According to the report, WHO seeks to break this vicious cycle and urges governments to seek solutions for mental health that are already available and affordable. Governments should move away from large mental institutions and towards community health care; and integrate mental health care into primary health care and the general health care system. "Mental illness is not a personal failure. In fact, if there is failure, it is to be found in the way we have responded to people with mental and brain disorders," said Dr Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General of WHO. The report invites governments to make strategic decisions and choices in order to bring about positive change in the acceptance and treatment of mental disorders.
A lack of urgency, misinformation, and competing demands are blinding policymakers from taking stock of a situation where mental disorders figure among the leading causes of disease and disability in the world, says WHO. Depressive disorders are already the fourth leading cause of the global disease burden. The responsibility for action lies with governments, says WHO. Currently, more than 40% of countries have no mental health policy and over 30% have no mental health programme. Around 25% of countries have no mental health legislation. The magnitude of mental health burden is not matched by the size and effectiveness of the response it demands. Currently, more than 33% of countries allocate less than 1% of their total health budgets to mental health, with another 33% spending just 1% of their budgets on mental health. The poor often bear the greater burden of mental disorders, both in terms of the risk in having a mental disorder and the lack of access to treatment. Constant exposure to severely stressful events, dangerous living conditions, exploitation, and poor health in general all contribute to the greater vulnerability of the poor. Good mental health is related to mental and psychological well-being. WHO’s work to improve the mental health of individuals and society at large
Nottingham connected includes the promotion of mental well-being, the prevention of mental disorders, the protection of human rights and the care of people affected by mental disorders. Ten facts of Mental Health • Mental, neurological and substance use disorders make up 10% of the global burden of disease and 30% of non-fatal disease burden. • Around 1 in 5 of the world's children and adolescents have a mental disorder. • Depression is one of the leading causes of disability, affecting 264 million people. • About half of mental disorders begin before the age of 14. • Almost 800 000 people die by suicide every year; 1 person dies from suicide every 40 seconds. Suicide is the second leading cause of death in individuals aged 15-29 years. • Around 1 in 9 people in settings affected by conflict have a moderate or severe mental disorder. • People with severe mental disorders die 10 to 20 years earlier than the general population. • Rates of mental health workers vary from below 2 per 100 000 population in low-income countries to
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over 70 per 100 000 in high-income countries. • Less than half of the 139 countries that have mental health policies and plans report having these aligned with human rights conventions. • The global economy loses about US$ 1 trillion per year in productivity due to depression and anxiety. Tips for good mental health Connect with people - People who take time to develop relationships feel better about themselves. Sharing problems and situations that make you stressed makes them easier to deal with. • Be active - Find any activity that you enjoy and make it part of your life. • Keep learning - Learning new skills can boost your confidence and give you a sense of achievement. Setting yourself goals and challenges, whether at work or outside helps to build confidence and thus deal with stress. • Give to others - From small acts of kindness to large volunteering efforts giving can improve your mental wellbeing and help build your social networks. • Be aware - Take notice of your feelings, thoughts, body and environment.
The Collapse of Thomas Cook So many business operators in the tourism industry across Africa have raised concern for a possible disastrous tourist season after the announcement of the collapse of Thomas Cook, a British owned leading tour operator. Some of the hoteliers expressed concerns that the liquidation of Thomas Cook is going to have an impact on the employment sector. A country that has been hard-hit is The Gambia where the tourism sector plays a vital role in the country's economy. The tourism sector in The Gambia creates over 150,000 jobs either directly or indirectly every year which is about 19 per cent of the country’s total employment, according to a 2017 report by the World Travel and Tourism Council. Unemployment rate in Gambia has recently registered an all - time high of 9.50 percent and the liquidation of the tour operator is expected to increase the figures. The population of the Gambia is mainly young with more than half (about 63.55% of two million) below 25 years. Most employees in this sector come from the youth cadre of the population and form a lion share of the unemployment percentage. Even though the Dutch, Scandinavians, Germans and Belgians are known for visiting Gambia, English tourists make the larger number. According to reports from the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of The Gambia, over two hundred thousand tourists made it to The Gambia in the 2018/19 season and over 50 percent of them came from the United Kingdom on Thomas Cook flights, while the rest came from other parts of Europe, including Scandinavia.
22 Education & Career
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GAIN DIASPORA RESEARCH REPORT 2019 The scope of the research was to have an initial picture of the African Community living in the city of Nottingham, England. For this purpose, physical and online questionnaires were developed. The physical was used for a field research that was carried out to map the community across the city. Using the wards as guidance, the team walked through the main roads of every ward approaching people in the streets, and the results were very variable in quality and quantity. Collecting data was challenging mainly due to initial mistrust when they were approached by the team. From a total population of 326 individuals interviewed.
Of all the wards across Nottingham; Arboretum, Bilborough and Bridge have the highest African density, while the numbers are fairly high in Dales and St. Ann’s. The wards with the lowest density are Dunkirk, Lenton and Bulwell followed by Wollaton West, Mapperley and Aspley with only 0.9%. The numbers also specifically show that a number of communities prefer a set of area within Nottingham. Over 98% of Algerians are living Basford, all of the questioned Libyans are living in Leen Valley, while Egyptians prefer the area of Bridge. Many of the Namibians are living in the Arboretum and Botswanans mostly stay in Leen Valley. The report also found out that 76.9% of those interviewed are Christians; followed by Muslims with 16.4% and little over 6% declared other religion belief. Men make up to 55.9% and female, 41.1% while 96.8% are heterosexual and 3.2% homosexual. Majority of the respondents have an age rank between 16 and 44 years, with 28.4% representing 16-24 year-olds while 27.4% were 25-34 and those in the range of 35 to 44 years made 25.8%.
The report found out that majority of the African people living in Nottingham come from three countries namely Nigeria with 29.4%, Ghana with 14.4% and Zimbabwe with 12%. Some countries are also well represented like Kenya with 9.7%, Sudan with 6% and Angola with 3.7%. Some countries were not represented by population, such as Morocco, Tunisia, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Western Sahara, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Gabon, Dijbouti, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozambique and Madagascar. According to the report, 48.8% of those interviewed have Indefinite Leave to remain while 22.4% have limited leave to remain; 6% were refugees (representing Sudan a 77.7% of this population) and 3% as asylum seekers. Of the 299 respondents, 38% were studying full time, 19.6% employed full time, 6.3% studying part time, a 15.3% employed part time, a 6.3% self-employed, 3.7% business owner, 1.2% as minister of religion, 0.3% retired, 0.9% unable to work due to illness or disability and 0.9% caring for family members.
Importantly, majority of the communities have some type of education (being Degree 24.4% of the total), but strongly highlighted issues like racism, cultural barrier and integration, trauma, isolation, hate crime and exploitation among others as problems they are most of the times confronted with.
Nottingham connected Female Genital Mutilation category
FGM – FACTS, HELP & ACTIONS
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Facts
• FGM is any procedure that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons. • FGM has been illegal in England and Wales since 1985. • FGM is a form of child abuse and violence against women and girls. • It is an offence to fail to protect a girl from the risk of FGM. • FGM is Non-Islamic, against the teachings of Islam and brings Islam into disrepute. • FGM is putting the health of our daughters, sisters, mothers and wives at great risk. • FGM affects girls and women both physically, emotionally and psychologically. • Over 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM. • 10,000 girls aged under 15 who have migrated to England and Wales are likely to have undergone FGM. Taking Th • In Nottingham, about 85 new cases were recorded through NHS in 2016/17.
Taking The City To the Fa Taking The City To the Farm
Help
Are you concerned a girl or woman is at risk or need support? • Are you from an affected community in Nottingham wanting to make a difference: • Join the Community FGM Steering Group: Contact us • For emotional & peer support for survivors in Nottingham, join the FGM Survivor’s club: Contact us Free • Refer survivors needing medical attention to FGM medical specialist in Nottingham: Contact us Sessions: Free Refugee • Drop in sessions at Mojatu Offices 167 Alfreton Road, Nottingham, NG7 3JR: ContactSeeker us Sessions: Free FGM helpline Refugees & Asylum • Call 0808 028 350 for a 24/7 anonymous or email: fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk Tuesdays Seekers Welcome Sessions: • Call Nottingham City Council Children and Families Direct: 0115 876 4800 Saturdays Certifica Tuesdays • Ring the police on 999 if FGM has just happened or about to happen Saturdays Certificates Offered ADOP Tuesdays Activities include: Saturdays ADOPT A TREE Activities include:Fruit Harvesting Actions Fruit Harvesting Tree Management Activities To help end FGM and support survivors, join oneinclude: of our campaigns or projects Tree ManagementWeeding for Pumpkin Fruit Harvesting • FGM Survivors Club • Volunteer with us Feeding the animals Weeding for Pumpkins & Maize Form Tree Management • FGM Steering Group • ‘Adopt a tree’ project https://go Feeding the animals Weeding for Pumpkins & Maize • FGM Global Faith Ambassador • Donate to support our work Form online @ • FGM Global Young Ambassador Feeding •the Fundraise our work oodland 9sz animals to support https://goo.gl/WyH
W gement nd a l ana ionEDIBL d o M o W gement E ss s‘18 eWOODLA S d a n n a l a EDIBLE d p M o e s o S n W ment pr Home Farm, Screv AEcocentre, ssio ‘18 SeWOODLAND For more information, contact Foundation p www.farmeco e ManeasgseiMojatu S s r n p Home Farm, Screveton, Ecocentre, NG13 8JL A https://goo.g Mojatu Foundatio S eo07794372214 Phone: 01158457009 Mobile: 8 1 ‘ p www.farmeco.co.uk S r T: 0115 784 6666 | M: Ro 07 p Email: valentine@mojatu.com Website: A www.mojatufoundation.org Mojatu Foundation | 167 Alfreton https://goo.gl/pEK1AC
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