Mojatu Magazine London L001

Mojatu Foundation in partnership with Rafiki Wema CIC in London is committed to delivering a balanced and fair media contents and services to the wider public and particularly to Black Asian Minority Ethnicities (BAME) across the UK. Partnering organizations trust that these ethnic minorities are the biggest media consumers, as they spend biggest time on media compared to other races. However, their participation, presentation as well as understanding of the purpose and influence of the mass media remains largely blurred.

Our shared focus is on working together towards offering media literacy and empowerment programs and development opportunities to fill the information gaps and provide an equitable, balanced media and eventually raise public awareness towards mass media through authentic community voices.

In our today’s digital world, we stay focused to spearheading a digital inclusion by delivering programs that support communities understanding and their ability and skills to use the Information Communication Technology (ICT) and increase their access to the massive information, communication, and opportunities available online. This brings the vast online and computer based public services closer to the communities, families, and individuals.

Mojatu foundation with its media wing supports ethnic minority communities in multiple cities in the UK by presenting a journalistic standpoint of most pressing contemporary social issue, challenges, and opportunities these communities embrace. That would ultimately cultivate a sense of belonging, togetherness, and cohesion among themselves and with other communities.

Previously Mojatu Magazine Nottingham, Derby, and Reading, and now London is to fundamentally amplify authentic community voices, by offering a multiple media platform that enable their opinions on the matters that affect them are listened to, while other communal issues that shape the lives of the people would be identified and openly discoursed.

Omar Mohammed Managing Editor

Editorial

Group Editor: Frank Kamau – frank@mojatu.com Managing Editor: Omar Mohammed - admin@ rafikiwema.com

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

Mohammed Duale

WORLD REFUGEE CRISES: AN UNPRECEDENTED FIGURE IN AN UNPRECEDENTED PERIOD

- By Omar Mohamed

Conflict, convid-19, and climate change remain the main topics of discussion for non-governmental organizations and countries across the globe this year. The global refugee remains a multifactor phenomenon, economic challenges, civil wars and political unrest, and weather all contribute to the current world gross human mobility. However, as covid-19 hit the world early 2020, refugees and other displaced people become the most vulnerable people globally. To them, the simple and basic health and lockdown messages from governments and health officials of ‘Don’t travel.” “Stay at home.” “Keep your distance.” “Get tested.” “Washing your hands frequently’’ etc was impossible. This was due their lack of basic needs and abilities to protect themselves from the virus and follow those health and safe grounding instructions. In addition to that, national borders that would enable them to reach a safe country were closed, this resulted in the exclusion of the refugees and internally displaced people

from major covid-19 interventions. And because of the following work restrictions in most of the hosting countries, resettlement programs have become the slowest in about two decades.

Statistics show that those seeking refuge has dramatically increased across regions from horn of Africa to Iraq to Myanmar and from Ukraine to Venezuela. UNHCR estimates show that by the end of this year there will be over 100 million refugees, this will be over ten million refugees more than the figures in the previous 2021. Thanks to the ongoing civil wars in Ethiopia Tigray region and Syria, and the war in Ukraine. The UN report adds that two third of the people crossing the border in a bid to seek refuge are from just five countries, Syria, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan, and Myanmar. Alarmingly, data from some 40 countries that host refugees explains that at all educational levels, refugees’ enrolment is significantly lower than that of non-refugees.

While pre-pandemic young refugees were about 30 percent less likely to

successfully finish their primary school and as half likely to complete their lower to secondary schooling. This reads with the fact that the majority of those fleeing from their homes are in the early and middle ages.

UN sources tell that about 83 percent of world refugees live in low- and middle-income countries, Germany being the only western European country among the five major hosting nations, and it hosts the least numbers, the rest being Turkey, Colombia, Uganda, and Pakistan.

Facts:

Major hosting countries

Turkey – 3.8Mi Colombia – 1.8m Uganda – 1.5m Pakistan – 1.5m Germany – 1.3m

Major source countries

Syria – 6.8m Venezuela – 4.6m Afghanistan – 2.7m South Sudan – 2.4m Myanmar – 1.2m

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE GAMBIAN COMMUNITY HELD A PRAYER VIGIL IN HONOUR OF MOTHER AND DAUGHTERS

- By Pa Modou Faal

The Gambian Community in Nottinghamshire on Thursday (24th November) afternoon held a vigil to pray and pay their respect to Fatoumatta Hydara and her two daughters Naeemah and Fatima Drammeh who died earlier this week from smoke inhalation after their flat in Clifton, Nottingham was consumed by fire in the early hours on Sunday.

A 31-year-old man has been arrested since Sunday 20th November on suspicion of triple murder.

The congregation of over a hundred men and women most of whom knew Fatoumatta and her family, gathered at the entrance of Fairisle Close before being led into a procession by community and religious leaders to the place floral tributes were laid in honour of mother and daughters.

In the gathering was late Fatoumatta’s husband Abubacarr Drammeh, her father Sulayman Hydara and immediate family members, and a cross section of members of the Gambian community in Nottinghamshire and surroundings as well as other sympathisers who knew the deceased, her family or just good Samaritans who could not come to terms with the heinous crime.

A prayer session was led by Imam Lamin Jatta who prayed for Allah’s forgiveness and mercy to be bestowed upon them. Imam Jatta said Allah test the faith of  His believers in different ways and this incident is among the highest test one can go through.

He said Fatoumatta and the innocent girls didn’t do anything to deserve such a horrendous act.

He said the community and the family are at very difficult state of grief and pain and that the husband Abubacarr Drammeh is enduring the hardest time of his life. He urged the congregation to have faith in Allah and pray for the departed souls.

The Secretary to the Nottinghamshire Gambian Community Mr. Edrissa Touray who read a statement before the gathered press and sympathisers which was prepared on behalf of the entire Gambian community, stated that their presence at the Fairisle Close is to show solidarity to Fatoumatta’s family in this difficult time and also to join the call for justice to be adequately served in this heinous crime against very loving, friendly, and respectful family.

Mr. Touray said Fatoumatta was very industrious and had great dreams and aspiration to serve her family and community.

He revealed that she was a community person who would participate in different voluntary services just to put a smile on people’s faces.

He recalled Fatima would always call him and other elders within the community “uncle” and that shows the level of respect she had.

Mr. Touray thanked the Notts Fire and Ambulance Serves and Nottinghamshire Police for their timely response in trying to save Fatoumatta and her two daughters’ and in the immediate arrest of a suspect.

He however urged the police that the community is waiting for a quick conclusion into the investigation and that justice will be appropriately served in honour and respect of mother and daughters who were gruesomely taken away from their family.

The Consular at the Gambian High Commission in London Sainey Barrow accompanied by Protocol Officer Mama Conateh said they have come to sympathise with the family of Fatoumatta Hydara on behalf of the High Commissioner Fatou Bensouda and show their solidarity to the Gambians in Nottingham.

Ms. Barrow extended condolences from the Gambian President Adama Barrow and the entire Gambian people around the world.

Ms. Barrow expressed shock and disbelief and said it is difficult to come into terms with the way their lives were taken. She visited the bereaved family and assured them of their support.

In a somber and distresed mood, many Gambians especially the women folk, expressed how outraged they are as mothers.

One of them said the two girls will never live to achieve their dreams and their mother will never see those dreams come through while the husband and father is left with no trace of wife and daughters.

There was an increased presence of police and media coverage following the announcement of the vigil by the Nottinghamshire Gambian Community.

IS MEDICALISATION THE NEW ANTI-FGM CAMPAIGNS MENACE?

- By Caroline Mwangi

In December 2012, the United Nations General Assembly through consensus, adopted their first resolution i.e., resolution A/RES/67/146, to ban FGM worldwide. This resolution reflected the universal agreement that, FGM constitutes a violation of the human rights of girls and women, a position that has been widely supported by stakeholders that campaign against FGM.

Additionally, most literature on FGM bear the stamp of acquiescence that, whether practiced traditionally or at the hand of qualified medical practitioners, there are no health benefits of FGM. Yet, medicalisation of FGM is becoming a major concern in countries where FGM is traditionally practised and in countries of migration such as the United Kingdom, United States and Sweden. (Matanda & Lwanga,2022; Leye et al, 2019).

UNICEF (2020) reports that, about 1 in 4 girls i.e., 26% or 52 million survivors who have undergone FGM worldwide, were cut by medical practitioners. The numbers are twice as high among adolescents, with 34% being adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19, compared to adult women between the ages of 45 and 49, who account for 16% of these prevalence rates.

In countries where it is traditionally practised, the prevalence rates are increasing at an alarming figure, despite increased legislation against the practice. These include Egypt 38%, Sudan 67%, Kenya 15%, and Nigeria 13%, (UNICEF,2021. The prevalence rates in these countries continue to rise except Nigeria. So, what is medicalisation of FGM?

This term has been defined by UNFPA (2018) as situations where FGM is practiced by any category of health professionals, whether in public, private, at home or elsewhere. It further includes reinfibulation (i.e., resuturing after delivery or gynaecological procedures of the scarred tissue resulting from infibulation) at any point in time of a woman’s life.

Health practitioners who undertake medicalisation as highlighted by WHO (2010), may include trained traditional birth attendants (TBAs), nurses, clinical officers, midwives, gynaecologists, physicians and assistant physicians, plastic surgeons, and other personnel both in the public and private health care sectors. These medical personnel may either be undergoing training or working in the health sector or retired.

Medicalisation of FGM is often promoted to minimize

the health risks associated with FGM, through access to health care services. It is thus perceived as a harm reduction strategy. It also gives way for symbolic types of cutting where, severe forms of FGM are replaced with symbolic cutting. Proponents of this concept argue that increased medicalisation highlights the risks of FGM, which in turn leads to the decrease in the prevalence of FGM.

They further contend that medicalisation is an intermediate step towards the long-term goal of ending FGM. Hence, they propose that, reducing FGM to a physical procedure performed at health facilities, reduces its visibility or the likelihood to elicit discussions within the community, which in turn reduces the social influence or control on community members, (Ve Nina et al, 2020). However, this proposition in my view, underestimates the significance attached to FGM as a cultural norm, by practising communities.

As Leye et al (2019) correctly puts it, even though medical practitioners might be able to reduce the immediate effects of cutting such as severe pain, bleeding, and infections, it is unlikely that they would prevent the long-term consequences of FGM, particularly the mental effects FGM has on survivors, (Leye et al, 2019). There are various studies that indicate that majority of survivors of FGM/C have reported mental health problems and emotional disorders such as: post traumatic health disorder, severe depression, and anxiety, (Knipscheer et al 2015; Eisold, 2015).

Further, since there is no medical justification for FGM or any perceived health benefits of the practice, medical practitioners who perform FGM violate girls’ and women’s rights which include: the right to life, the right to physical integrity, the right to health, the right to non- discrimination, the right to be free from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment and the right to be free from violence.

Medicalised FGM may seem like an appropriate and a safe response to FGM, particularly, where it is believed that health practitioners would address the health risk associated with FGM. However, the fact remains that the practice involves the damage or removal of normal, healthy tissue and interferes with the natural functioning of girls’ and women’s bodies.

More on this article, please follow this link: https:// mojatu.com/2022/11/15/is-medicalisation-the-newanti-fgm-campaigns-menace/

BRITISH NEW DIVORCE LAW IS BAD FOR AFRICAN MARRIAGES

IN THE UK-

By Peter Makossah

The silence is deafening. A pair of inquisitive hazel eyes stares down at him as he fiddles idly with a strand of his dreadlocked hair dangling across his forehead. He takes a deep breath and sniffs loudly: “Oh, my God!” He curses himself as he saunters down the Upper Parliament Street past a shabby red brick building with a sooty roof.

James Mashingaidze, 46, of Bulwell in Nottingham but originally from Mutare in Zimbabwe, is noticeably lost, in his mind. And on his face. His spirits are visibly low, and despite the early morning sunlight, Nottingham City Centre looks tired and unwashed. The pale sun seems only to accentuate the yellowing net curtains, cobwebby windows, and faded paintwork - a quick reminder that the legendary ‘Robinhood City’ has existed for centuries. He looks above, but the shops’ rooftops have nothing else to offer; the stucco and brickwork were scarred and scattered. His wounds, suffered in the marriage blitz, still startlingly clean and fresh in his heart. “Why can’t I be free from this bondage?” he yells at himself.

Mr Mashingaidze, who is a psychologist, is aware that whatever he decides, it would lead inevitably to further decisions and actions - and most importantly some legal complications - each creating a ripple effect through his life. “Love hurts. And when it does, the best way is to move on than being a prisoner,” he considers. “Living with someone you love is sweet but being in a loveless marriage is hell.” Mr Mashingaidze complains that he is trapped in loveless marriage as the previous archaic divorce law compelled him to stay on with his wife because she has no fault in the eyes of the law.

Under the previous family law, Mr Mashingaidze would have to wait for five years before divorcing his wife of ten years and mother of his three children but under the new law it will take just a short time. “I expected the court to understand that the only reason I married my wife was that, at that time, I loved her. Now, the reason I want to divorce her is that I no longer love her. It is that simple”, he claims. “If love was the reason I married her, then lack of it should be a reason enough to ‘unmarry’ her,” says Mr Mashingaidze in a matter of fact-tone.

Mr Mashingaidze’s wife (name withheld) 43, is challenging the divorce arguing her husband is incapable of interpreting her needs accurately. “My husband’s neglect of me through unexplained prolonged absence from home continues to produce indescribable solitude and a sense torture. I have done nothing wrong to be divorced”, she said. She exclaims, “James told me in my face he did not want to be with me anymore. I asked him; ‘what has happened to our ‘until death do us part’ vows.’ He didn’t reply.”

The Family Court district judge dismissed Mr

Mashingaidze’s divorce petition because he has failed to satisfy the court with set reasonable grounds to warrant a dissolution of the marriage. However, divorce laws in England and Wales are set to change. The new divorce law, which came into effect in May this year will sweep away the legal principal that one should be at fault for adultery, unreasonable behaviour, and desertion.

The reforms to change family laws in the UK follow years of campaigning by legislators, lawyers, and judges. Under new legislation, brought forward by the “Conservative” Government in 2020, a person will be able to simply walk away from their marriage, no reason given.

Vitalis Ngadi, a family lawyer based in Derby says, “in an African setup, when one marries, they marry the whole family, the whole church or mosque and the whole community and, therefore, you cannot just wake up one morning and decide that you don’t want your wife or husband anymore”.

Nottingham North Labour MP Alex Norris says, “I’ve listened to both arguments and firmly think a no-fault divorce is much safer and easier.”

Pastor Emmanuel Mbetewa, a senior minister at Citadel International Church in Nottingham City Centre says marriage is commissioned by God and the vows people make during wedding ceremonies, they make them with God and not the courts.

Sheikh Ibrahim Khadri Bin-Omar, a Muslim cleric based in Mapperley says, “divorce should not be made easier as this will make people walk away from their families and in the end, it will be the children who will suffer the consequences.”

Please follow the link to read more: https://mojatu. com/2022/11/02/british-new-divorce-law-is-bad-forafrican-marriages-in-the-uk/

SILENT GUARD

By Galbur Foundation

I am a curious fighter who lives in Sainsburys I live in the freezer with ice cream and peas

I shy away from the customers, waiting for them to leave I hope for the murdering of trees to cease

I can stick to walls and live amongst the bees

I strive for people and nature to have peace

I am a curious fighter

I am a determined hero who fights for rights

I face the chainsaws and bulldozers with courage and might

I want to save the earth

But I must unite the people first

I can see extinction drawing close

I worry that time will run out

And I bleed with the trees

I am a determined hero

I am a fearless soldier who yearns for a safe world

I weep when I see the hearts of children darken

I dream to see mankind and nature hand in hand

I pretend to be braver than I am

I want to save the earth

So I will save the earth

I am a fearless soldier

I am a curious fighter

I am a determined hero

I am a silent guard.

HOT-BALLS REVOLUTION

By Galbur Foundation

I live in a park on a slide in Dome street.

I’m fighting against crime, destruction and racism.

My nemesis are gangs and racists people.

I am a woman which has the ability to turn into fire and throw fire balls.

I wonder why people are so rude.

I see inside the moon and sun..

I dream for world to bring families back together and for brothers and sisters to hold hands again.

I hear the trees talk to me.

I understand the people who are rude, no one should ever listen to them.

I am women which has the ability to turn into fire and throw fireballs..

I pretend to be who I am.

I hope crime and racism will stop.

I worry about children who are homeless.

I am a woman which has the ability to turn into fire and throw fire balls.

I cry when mothers pain affects me.

I feel the breeze tell me to fight against the bad.

I am a women which has the ability turn into fire and throw fire balls.

HELPING LONDON’S YOUTH: JAMAD’S STORY

- By Anna Marsden

She moved to London 25 years ago, when she was very young, escaping from the war in Somalia. Despite initial difficulties, she managed not only to rebuild her life in the UK but also to help many other people in the UK and in Somalia.

“I arrived alone, after a very long trip, with no English and no knowledge of this country,” says Jamad. “It was hard! I immediately enrolled in ESOL (English language) classes, and once I had learnt the language, I took several vocational courses including child care, teaching assistant and health advocacy.”

In 2002 Jamad started working in a charity, helping Somali people, and in 2008 she was hired by Islington Council as a bilingual family support worker. Last year, she became a family engagement worker, giving families with children information about child development and helping them access services.

In her role at Islington Council Jamad helps any family (Britons as well as immigrants and refugees) living in the area. She also maintains a special commitment to helping Somali people. In 2014 she founded the Galbur Foundation, a charity operating in Islington and in Somalia.

The name of the charity comes from the union of two Somali words: gal, which means a small puddle of rainwater, and bur, which means mountain.

“The first word evokes something precious, because rain is quite rare in Somalia”, explains Jamad. “The second word evokes something concrete. The two words together transmit a sense of hope, something concrete and precious like the help we offer to young people and families.”

The Galbur Foundation fights poverty and lack of education in Somalia and helps youths from disadvantage groups in Islington to reach their potential through art, education, sport and culture.

In Somalia the charity runs a school for disabled children, providing them with lunch, not only because they need the food but also as a strategy to convince families to send children to school, as food and not education is often their first priority. In Islington the charity carries out many different activities, inspired by ideas from the young people themselves and the help they provide as volunteers at the Galbur Foundation.

Many of the activities of the Galbur Foundation in Islington are focused on mental health and crime, two problems that are closely related. According to Jamad, in Islington, mental health disorders are most prevalent in black children and young people, 15 per cent of whom suffer from mental health problems. She adds that the area has the highest prevalence of mental health issues in London.

Working at Islington Council, Jamad realised that while there are a lot of services offered to young people, ethnic minorities are less likely to access them. She works to bridge this gap, as well as the cultural gap dividing migrant parents and their children. While youths like joining the art industry, for example, their parents often don’t consider an education in the arts to be valuable.

One of the first initiatives of Galbur Foundation was “Promoting Mental Health Through Art”, a four- week programme with workshops led by the artist Anab Eided, attended by 20

participants aged 10 to 16.

“Every session we discussed different topics, such as emotions, identity and safety,” explains Jamad. “In the last session we involved families and invited the police to speak about how to be safe in the neighbourhood. We had very positive feedback.”

In partnership with the Council, the Galbur Foundation is organising a youth conference on mental health in February 2019.

“Ethnic minorities find it difficult talking about this topic, for cultural and religion reasons,” says Jamad. “They don’t know how the available services work and where they are, while service providers have a lack of understanding of the culture these groups come from. We’ll help them to learn from each other.”

Sport is also a field of action of this charity, again with projects that aim to bridge the gap between migrant parents and their children.

After a football fun day last April, the foundation is now organising a girls’ football club with a professional coach.

“Our target is 25 girls, but I believe we’ll have a waiting list!” Jamad said.

Jamad’s six children help her to organise all these initiatives and she loves helping everyone. At Christmas she spent 12 hours serving food to homeless people in a church.

“It’s all about humanity,” she says. “Immigrants and refugees don’t come to this country just to look for support. They want to work, live their lives and help others. I believe the UK would not be one of the greatest countries in the world without their contribution.”

Jamad Abdi is a very active and dynamic woman, passionate about helping young people and families to improve their lives.

CALLS IN KENYA FOR UK TO RETURN RESISTANCE

LEADER’S HEAD -

By rfi.fr

Calls are mounting in Kenya for Britain to return the head of a revered tribal leader who led a bloody resistance movement against colonial rule more than a century ago, after the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

British government to do what is only right -- return the head of Koitalel Samoei and issue an apology publicly to the people of Nandi.”

‘Black snake spitting fire’ Tarus said 20,000 people were killed during the uprising and thousands more displaced when British authorities seized 140,000 acres of fertile land in Nandi now used for tea plantations by British multinationals.

“To this date there hasn’t been any compensation from the British government,” said Tarus, who is leading legal efforts to seek justice for the Nandi community.

He said this was despite Britain agreeing in 2013 to compensate over 5,000 Kenyans who had suffered abuse during the 1950s Mau Mau rebellion against colonial rule.

Koitalel Arap Samoei spearheaded fierce opposition to the construction of the so-called “Lunatic Express,” a railway from Kenya’s Indian Ocean port of Mombasa through Nandi in the Rift Valley to Lake Victoria in Uganda.

Many thousands of people are believed to have been killed in the more than decade-long struggle that began in 1895 when surveyors first marked out land in Nandi as a route for the railway.

Former African colonies remember Queen’s legacy with mixed emotions

Kenyan historians say British colonial authorities lured Samoei to a meeting in October 1905 ostensibly to negotiate a truce but instead he and a number of fellow warriors were shot dead.

Samoei, an Orkoiyot or spiritual leader of the Nandi people, was decapitated and his head taken to England as a war trophy, according to Nandi elders.

The death on Thursday of Queen Elizabeth II, who was on a visit to Kenya in 1952 when she became monarch, has reignited demands for Britain to face up to the horrors of its colonial past.

Nandi County government attorney George Tarus told AFP the Nandi people wanted Samoei’s head returned to his ancestral homeland for a proper burial, a call echoed widely on social media in Kenya.

The queen “meant so much to so many people... despite the history of the British empire and its atrocities”, he said, highlighting the strong relations between Britain and Kenya today.

“But as the world is mourning the passing of Queen Elizabeth II maybe now is the right time to implore the

British colonial officers stand guard over Kenyans suspected of being members of the Mau Mau while they search their homes for weapons. British colonialists routinely brutalised Kenyans during the nationalist Mau Mau movement from 1952 to 1960.

British colonial officers stand guard over Kenyans suspected of being members of the Mau Mau while they search their homes for weapons. British colonialists routinely brutalised Kenyans during the nationalist Mau Mau movement from 1952 to 1960. ThisIsAfrica.me

AFP has contacted the British government for comment. In 2006, heirs of colonial-era British army colonel Richard Henry Meinertzhagen, said to be the man who killed Samoei, returned a walking stick and baton to Kenya that had belonged to the tribal leader.

Samoei launched his unsuccessful and ultimately fatal struggle after foretelling that a black snake spitting fire - a steam engine - would pass through Nandi, destroying tribal culture and disenfranchising local farmers and cattle herders.

Tarus said he believed the British took Samoei’s head not only as a trophy but also to study.

“I think they wanted to find out how... he could resist the British for 11 years with their sophisticated weapons while the Nandi were only using mainly bows and arrows.”

AFTER 70 YEARS UK POLICE HAVE ADMITTED THEY WRONGLY EXECUTED A BLACK MAN

- By Omar Mohammed

Mohmood Mattan was born in 1922 in the then British Somaliland, Somalia’s breakaway northern region currently known as Somaliland. Mattan got a job on a ship and in the year 1947 met and married Rhonda Valley who was 17 years old in England. A time when interracial marriage was not common, the beginning of their lives together in the UK was not easy one. They found it difficult finding a place where they can live together with their kids.

Susbsequently, the couple were forced to live in different houses in one area. On the night of March 6th, 1952, just five years after the new couple got married and had three sons, Lilly Volpert a local shop owner was murdered in her store in the Docks area, not far from where Mattan and his family lived.

Hours later, the police forces have arrested Mr Mattan linking him with the murder. Mattan who spoke very basic English, and the fact that he wasn’t given an interpreter, he ended up not being able to defend himself enough. However, the police arrested and continued to have sentenced him for the murder. This happened when no evidence police have gathered from his house after the search presented, and no forensic testimony produced throughout the court period, that would support the police claim.

According to sources, there were conflicting statements

taken from eyewitnesses including the last two customers of victims’ shop, who initially couldn’t recall Mattan while the killing was happening but later changed their narrative in the court. Police have not shown any of these conflicting accounts to the all-white jury.

Though the government’s home office department have accepted miscarriage of justice and provided financial compensations to the family. Police in this case have never admitted such flawed and wrongful conviction up until this year 2022, 70 years after Mohmood Mattan was unlawfully sentenced to death.

Mattan’s wife Mrs Tanya Mattan and their three sons have all campaigned justice for him and that his names cleared for decades, but sadly all have passed away before this year’s police apology. South Wales police chief said “it is right the proper an apology is made on behalf of policing for what went so badly wrong in this case 70 years ago and for the terrible suffering of Mr Mattan’s family and all those affected by this tragedy for many years.

However, for the Mattan’s family, the apology is too late and in fact insincere. Activists question, why did it the police force take all those decades for the polices to establish share these facts, which they probably had before, and provide apology, while the victims immediate family were still alive campaigning very hard to clear his name.

Photo source: BBC

IMPACT HUB KING’S CROSS: A CATALYSING ENTREPRENEURIAL ACTION FOR A FAIR AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE -

For 15 years, Impact Hub King’s Cross has been catalysing entrepreneurial action for a fair and sustainable future. Alongside an impact-driven coworking space in Central London, Impact hub delivers  business support programs for ethical and diverse entrepreneurs.  To date, over 800 people have been supported by Impact Hub King’s Cross programs. Current programs include:

FEEDING THE CITY ACCELERATE

Feeding The City Accelerate offers a transformative journey for food businesses in London. Through bespoke support, it enables those ready to scale to achieve growth potential, while developing circular practices.

In the last two years, the programme has supported three cohorts of sustainable and ethical food and drinks businesses. From the 2020 cohort: 100% of participants indicated they knew how to support their team and beneficiaries through challenging times (compared to 56% before the programme).

88% addressed 2 or more food issues

NEW ROOTS

New Roots, is a mentoring and peer-to-peer programme for local entrepreneurs from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds in Camden and Islington. New Roots has consistently evolved to meet the needs of London’s minority ethnic entrepreneurs since the 2019 pilot programme supporting a cohort of entrepreneurial refugees and non-EU migrants. The 2022 Programme sits at the intersections of innovation/impact entrepreneurship, sustainability/

By Omar Mohammed

climate action and inclusion/equality, with research showing that their London communities are more likely to be affected by air pollution and climate change.

ASSETS

ASSETS (Assisting Social Enterprises to Succeed) is an innovative programme tailored for social enterprises that are suppliers in the construction industry sector who aim to scale their operations, secure larger contracts, and successfully compete UK-wide. Co-delivered by professional experts from Wates and Impact Hub King’s Cross, the programme has enabled 9 social enterprises to develop a clearer strategy for scaling their business in the construction sector.

CIRCULAR START UP

The Circular Start Up, seeks to address the lack of inclusion in environmental entrepreneurship in London, by helping aspiring entrepreneurs to launch circular economy solutions to waste and consumption. It’s our ambition to create a more interconnected, inclusive, and circular economy, helping to increase awareness, reduce waste and improve consumption habits at business and consumer levels.

For participant stories, please visit this blog

Our global reach:  Locally Rooted, Globally Connected Impact Hub King’s Cross is a part of a global network of 24,000+ changemakers across 108 Impact Hubs building inclusive and sustainable innovation at scale.

Impact Hub is a network of innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders,

and social activists determined to co-create a more just and sustainable society.

All big ideas start small. In our case, it was in 2005, with one community, in one city. The goal was to build a space for people to connect, collaborate, and accelerate ideas that make the world a better place.

The idea quickly transformed into a movement – a multiplier and amplifier of social impact that empowers Impact Makers to activate/increase their agency within their communities. This locally rooted, globally connected approach allows us to replicate and learn from one another while creating robust entrepreneurial initiatives that pave the way to a better tomorrow.

We are creating a ripple effect of positive change. You can see our impact travel from the heart of Phnom Penh towards the outskirts of Brazil, through the buzzing capital Berlin to the beautiful Accra in West Africa and beyond. Today, we are a global network of 25,000+ people uniting 60+ countries across five continents.

For more information, visit  https:// impacthub.net

WINTER HUBBERLAND: ANNUAL CHRISTMAS MARKET BY IMPACT HUB KING’S CROSS

- By Omar Mohammed

The annual Winter Hubberland event is organized and run by the Impact Hub, and this year it was held on 6 December 2022, it brought together twenty ethical food and fashion businesses from Impact Hub King’s Cross’ start-up programs: New Roots and the Circular Start-up, for a greener gifting experience.

For many of these start-up businesses, the market provided an opportunity to showcase and test their products with customers and collect valuable feedback to refine their offerings, while networking with other businesses. Participants showcased everything from handmade quilts made

from upcycled materials, organic pesto and hummus made from microgreens, zero-waste cocktails, CBD infused hot chocolate and artisanal desserts.

The market takes place every year in December and is integrated into the larger Impact Hub King’s Cross member Christmas party.

DERBY COUNTY COMMUNITY TRUST GEARS UP FOR LANDMARK TENTH KENYA TRIP

By Jamie Morris & Tristan Best

We speak to organiser Paul Newman about the biggest Rams in Kenya journey yet…

Mojatu: Give us a brief recap of the history of Rams in Kenya.

Paul: In 2010, we were approached by a company who were called Kenyan Adventures at the time, and are now called African Adventures. The model they proposed to us was that we try to recruit volunteers from our fanbase, and a percentage of what each volunteer raises is invested back into the community. We went for the first time in 2012, and we took twelve of us and knew every single one of them bar one fan. We went to a primary school and it was absolutely magical, but we came home a little bit frustrated because we wanted to do more. On the flight home, it was never a conversation of ‘Shall we go back next year?’ – it was ‘When we go back next year’.

You’re now preparing for your tenth trip. How does it feel to be approaching such a big milestone?

We’re incredibly proud. There are children that we met in the first year who are now in their early twenties and still come and visit us. There’s a lad over there who’s very special to me called Joseph, who struggles with his English, but we bonded over football. He left school and was doing construction at college, and he came back to volunteer with us and help build some classrooms. Ideally, we’d just go over there and play for two weeks because there’d be nothing left for us to do, but that’s not the case.

What kind of role does football play?

They’re like any other kids, so when you chuck a ball in the middle, all of a sudden you’ve got common ground. You don’t need a lot to play football – sometimes not even a football, because they’ve made them out of string and plastic bags. In the past, we’ve left them some proper ones and I’ve asked them to make me some to bring back to the schools in England to help raise awareness. We even played against some Maasai warriors one year. It was brilliant to see them put down what they could from their traditional gear

and have a match. It’s genuinely an international language that brings people together.

What are your favourite parts about Kenya and its culture?

First and foremost, it’s a beautiful country. Driving from Nairobi to Nakuru takes about four hours, but you’ll see zebras and giraffes the way we see cows. It’s mind blowing. It’s a massive country, so there’s lots of green, and we always stop off at the Great Rift Valley, which is stunning. The second thing is that they’re just lovely, lovely people. They’re genuinely interested in why you’re there, and even if they’ve got no connections to the schools we’re visiting, they’re just grateful and so kind. I’ve got a shrine with all of the gifts we’ve been given over the years.

Let’s say someone is reading this interview and they’re thinking, ‘Okay, that sounds really good, but I don’t think I can do that’. What would you say to them?

First of all, can they cope emotionally? I still cry at everything – happy or sad – and I’ve been nine times. I’m the person who cries at the John Lewis advert. But there should be some emotional moments – and if that’s not the right environment for you, then it’s not the right trip for you. However, there’s always someone who’s been through it before, so there’s a support network there. The second question is, how can you contribute? It could be teaching, it could be DIY – we always try to help people find a little bit of potential they’ve got that they didn’t know about. But, ultimately, if you went over and brought joy to kids for two weeks, then you’re contributing something they didn’t have before.

I’m conscious that it’s a big commitment, so I’m always respectful of people who can’t quite make it. My stock phrase is, ‘we go every year, so you can come back next year’, which is part of the reason we get so many numbers. This year we’re taking 84, which is the biggest group we’ve ever taken. I wanted a hundred, but that’s just my ego…

Find out more at derbycountycommunitytrust.com

5 GENERATIONS OF MY FAMILY IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

By Mohamed Duale

My family has lived in the UK for five generations, and I am the third generation. In 1908, Dualeh Mohamed became the first person to settle in Cardiff.

the United Somali Party, and the UK branch of the Somali Youth League, which were responsible for Somalia’s independence, Dualeh came to be known as the father of Somali politics in the UK. In the middle of the 20th century, he also closely collaborated with African Americans leaders like Paul Robeson and W.E.B. De Bios. He consequently became a concern for UK national security. As a direct result, he was branded as a communist collaborator and subject of national security in the UK.

Dualeh Mohamed, my grandfather, was a unique individual with conflicting traits. On one aspect, he was a distinguished war veteran of both great wars (1st & 2nd World War) who risked his life for our freedom here in the UK. On the other hand, he championed a nonviolent anticolonial campaign against the same colonial powers, which led to him becoming a formidable civil rights and political activist.

In the early 1920s, my grandfather met and fell in love with a beautiful Christian mixed-race widow with Irish and Brazilian descendent. On August 24, 1924, they had their wedding in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. In addition to her already existing son Mosses Hassan from a previous marriage, my grandmother, Prudence Roberts Dawdy from County Dawn in Northern Ireland, and Dualeh Aftaag were blessed with two boys, Abraham, and Yusuf T Mohamed.

Due to Dualeh Aftaag’s leadership and the establishment of several non-governmental organizations including the British Somali Society,

However, this rural Somalian man’s meagre resources, aspirations to travel abroad, autodidactic education, and unwavering willpower enabled him to play a significant role in the liberation of his country. His life experiences— from the arid and hostile deserts of Northern Somalia to the humiliations of colonial rule, the bigotry he encountered in Cardiff, and the struggle to restore his nation via shrewd and tenacious political campaigning—defined his viewpoint. After reading a poem titled, I Am Born Today on the day of the flag-raising more than fifty years later “Somali’s Independence Day”.  Eventually in mid-June in 1960 Dualeh along with his two sons moved to Somalia, who he had nurtured them in Cardiff.

It is crucial to note that Abraham Dualeh, my father, and Dualeh’s second child, enlisted into the military and contributed to the defence of the UK by fighting in the Second World War and unfortunately  an 8-month of being a Prisoner of War  under Hitler. Derrick Hassan, Dualeh’s grandson, also became the first black police officer in the Welsh police force.

After years of relentless political engagement and giving up 50 years of his life, my grandfather ultimately succeeded in achieving his goal of  Somalia becoming an independent republic from the British Colony in 1960. Dualeh Aftaag earnestly wished for his son to wed a strong, beautiful Somali woman, so he and my grandfather returned to Somalia together. The fact that my father identified as a black Welshman who could speak English, Welsh, and a little bit of other European languages (French and German) without being able to speak Somali, and that my mother, Ebado Adan Ali Istahil, was a Somali native in every possible way—culturally and linguistically. My mother was one of the nicest, kindest, strongest, and most familyoriented soulmates that my father has ever met. Without a doubt, she was my greatest inspiration and role model. God, please have mercy on my parents, both. Even though they are no longer here, we will always cherish their memories.

Four boys and three girls were among the seven children my parents were blessed with. We left Mogadishu, Somalia for Britain to be with our father just before the central government of Somalia disintegrated in 1990. To achieve one of my life goals, which was to be a highly educated person, I started learning English as soon as I moved to Cardiff. I enrolled to universities when I become proficient in English and eventually graduated with a Chemical Engineering undergraduate degree, master’s degree in computing, and PGCE.

https://mojatu.com/2022/12/07/5generations-of-my-family-in-theunited-kingdom/

NYEGE NYEGE, UGANDA’S CONTROVERSIAL BUT IRRESISTIBLE FESTIVAL, IS BACK ON

- By AMOS OCHIENG

Why does the popular music festival keep getting banned and then un-banned?

First staged in 2015, the globally touted Nyege Nyege Festival in Uganda is a four-day dance party and a major tourism drawcard that caters to lovers of electronic dance music. After a three-year break due to COVID-19, the 2022 festival is taking place from 15-18 September. Over 300 DJs and performers will participate across seven stages, with 10,000 revellers expected to attend.

But Nyege Nyege nearly didn’t happen. Uganda’s parliament banned it – and not for the first time –on the grounds that it promotes “sexual immorality”. Eventually the prime minister gave it the go-ahead.

Tourism lecturer Amos Ochieng has studied the festival and explains its ongoing dilemma.

Why is Nyege Nyege so controversial?

The festival promotes electronic dance music and was established by promoters Arlen Dilsizian and Derek Debru to meet the demand among young Ugandans for all-night dance partying. Even though Nyege Nyege is promoting the theme of environmental conservation and inclusivity this year, it has been the subject of moral outrage and heated debate. The controversy has a lot to do with its name – Nyege Nyege – and the choice of a large new location at the banks of the Nile river, at Itanda Falls, a venue reportedly five times larger than before.

In the Luganda language of Uganda, “nyege nyege” is interpreted as an irresistible urge to dance. One dictionary definition says it means “an intensive feeling for the urgency in need for intimacy, closure and physical exploration”. However, in the Kiswahili language of the larger region, “nyege nyege” is slang

for “horny, horny” and is used in relation to sexual urges. As a contemporary and popular musical event, Nyege Nyege is, according to one study, intended to “create intense and affective aesthetic experiences for its participants”.

During a recent parliamentary session, an MP ardently argued for its cancellation. Parliamentarians, religious and opinion leaders, human rights activists and some government officials have publicly questioned the integrity of the event. They believe it is a breeding ground for sexual immorality. The speaker of parliament declared it banned just over a week before it was to be held.

Controversially, in just less than 24 hours, an emergency meeting chaired by the prime minister cleared the event to take place. She argued that it was too late to cancel as thousands of tourists were expected for the festival. A banning would cause financial losses. She assured the public that the event would take place under strict guidelines, including no underage guests and no nudity.

The roots of the resistance to the festival lie in the fact that Uganda is a conservative country with a wish to preserve “traditional values”. Homosexuality, for example, is outlawed in the country under a law inherited from the British during the colonial period. The Sexual Offences Bill of 2021 criminalises same-sex relations, sex work and a range of other offences.

In 2018, the Nyege Nyege Festival was cancelled by Uganda’s ethics and integrity minister on moral grounds but was later cleared to continue. This could be seen as part of government’s commitment to turn Ugandan music and local entertainment into economic goods forming a core part of the creative tourism industry segment. After all, the production of specialised music has a cohesive role in creating local identities and touristic images and products. These can be promoted and marketed to diversify Uganda’s tourism product base.

The key challenge, though, is that these controversies only mirror the lack of coordination between government departments and agencies. This is the seventh edition of the event. Why should authorities wait until just a few days to the event before raising concerns? If the event can potentially destroy cultures, why not come up with a clear policy and ban it completely or modify it? There is an urgent need for Uganda to develop regulatory guidelines instead of being reactionary.

What role does the festival play for tourism?

Music and dance are a growing part of the creative tourism industry. Like other festivals and cultural displays, they are part of the everyday spaces of leisure, a source of artistic expression and audience pleasure. Regarding the current controversy, I would think that organisers and enthusiasts are loving it. There are indications that they are getting free publicity in mainstream and social media. The ping-pong game by the government appears to create increased curiosity and the #NyegeNyege hashtag has been trending. Uganda has one of the youngest populations in the world and young Ugandans are strongly influenced by social media.

Allowing Nyege Nyege to continue also reflects Uganda’s preparedness to handle large numbers of tourists in the aftermath of the pandemic. The event will provide opportunities for the sale of locally produced materials for improved local livelihoods. As an opportunity for cross-cultural interactions, Ugandan cultures could feature prominently.

The electronic dance music community is a new niche with enthusiastic promoters recruiting new members to build a like-minded community. This community boasts diverse audiences with diverse artistic tastes and consists of smaller (local, translocal or virtual) groups of musicians, fans, promoters and the like.

What is the future for an event like Nyege Nyege? Uganda, with its strong religious and cultural foundation, will continue to challenge the promotion of Nyege Nyege.

Local music articulates issues around identity, conformity, performance, status, community, subculture, high culture, technology, power relations, education, place and space. How best can all these aspects be integrated to embrace the electronic dance music community for a sustainable tourism industry in Uganda – while still preserving the sanctity of cultural values?

The government departments and agencies responsible for tourism should work with the organisers to draw the best alternatives to promote and conduct the event, and still preserve our cultures. Unless they do, I expect that the event will continue to receive backlash.The Conversation

SOMALI WEEK FESTIVAL OCTOBER 2022

- By Omar Mohammed

At a packed house at the entrance atrium of the British Library, an enthusiastic crowd kicked off the start of the 14th edition of Somali Week festival to great fanfare.

This year’s event, which annually brings together artists, musicians, authors, entrepreneurs, activists, poets, playwrights and filmmakers to celebrate both the traditional Somali cultural legacy as well as the Somali community’s most cuttingedge artistic developments, is not only increasingly a staple of the London cultural scene, but also, this year, a vibrant and vital element of Black History Month. Indeed, this year’s performances can be seen as a striking demonstration of the ways in which history is lived out and reinvigorated in real time through exchange across continents, generations and diverse modes of storytelling.

While in once sense Somali Week Festival is decidedly British, in that it provides a meeting point for those on the cutting edge of the UK’s diasporic cultural production, it is equally global, not simply in terms of participation and outreach, but

also in its outlook. For 10 days in London, the lines between diaspora and African, between locally rooted and multicultural, is fundamentally blurred. As Ayan Mahamoud, founder, and director of Kayd Somali Arts & Culture, which organised the event, states.

This transcendence of the boundaries between the diaspora and the African homeland is manifest in the Festival’s 2022 theme, which juxtaposed ‘traditional’ and ‘modern’ art forms,

while simultaneously unsettling and challenging these very distinctions. The opening event was exemplary of this flouting of imposed distinctions such as borders and generational divides, where, within a single panel, was found a Somali American playwright and educator, Professor Said Salah, in conversation with one of Somaliland’s brightest young authors and translators, Abdiaziz Guudcade, an award-winning filmmaker from Finland, Khadar Ayderus Ahmed, and one of Britain’s and Columbia Records’ most exciting

music talent scouts, Muna Ruumi. The diversity of locations, mediums and expertise speaks to a Somali nomadic and entrepreneurial heritage that has for centuries adapted to, and expanded with, global circulations of migration, commerce, religious practice and geopolitical intrigue.

The social power of art and culture came through in the policy-oriented events that were held over the course of the week. At a conference hall in University College London on 25 October, an audience of development practitioners and academics welcomed a panel of three trailblazing female Somali environmental activists from the Horn of Africa to discuss the ways in which the climate crisis has not only taken a devastating tolls on Somali lives, but has impacted entire ways of life, ‘from culture and heritage to ideas of community and meaning’. The next day, attention was refocused locally, to the ways in which the British State had come up short in its safeguarding and welfare responsibilities over its Somali diaspora communities, and the structural violence, exclusion and marginalisation that has emerged as a result. In a conference bringing together representatives from the police, government ministries, national charities and local council officials, Somali stakeholders had the opportunity to call for a relationship to the State based on equality, dignity and ownership, rather than mistrust and alienation.

The Festival equally offered a space for collective mourning and tribute to those from within the Somali cultural community who were lost over the past year, something made more apt by the fact that this was the first congregation of the festival since the pandemic. Among those lost was the larger-than-life figure of Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame Hadraawi, the most renowned and enduring figure within 20th and 21st century Somali poetry, who passed away a mere three months prior, for whom many tributes were paid. Abdiaziz Guudcade, reflecting upon the legacy of Hadraawi for his generation of up-and-coming wordsmiths, described his own particular relationship with the legendary poet in the following terms: ‘Hadraawi inspired me to resist oppression, injustice, and all forms of exploitation. As a writer and translator, Hadraawi is part of what keeps me alive and dedicated to expanding the intellectual horizons of humanity!’

This year saw the UK debut screening of the critically-acclaimed The Gravedigger’s Wife, directed by the Finnish Somali filmmaker Khadar Ayderus Ahmed, which tells the story of struggle, heartbreak and resilience set in Djibouti. A similar appreciation of oases of humanity in the midst of turmoil characterised How to Have Fun in a Civil War, the autobiographical one-act multimedia play by Ifrah

Mansour, which draws from the writer, director and performer’s experience with violence in Somalia in the 1990s to bring a voice and face to the plight of refugees in the present. The burgeoning foray of Somali storytellers into stage and screen is heart-warming development, particularly for a community that has for too long seen their representations exploited for reductive and Eurocentric narratives of war, poverty and piracy.

While showcasing many veteran artists and addressing many historic topics, such as the 50th anniversary of the written Somali language, the presence and energy of youth was a palpable feature of the conference. This included not just the passionate team of young volunteers that supported Kayd in making the conference tick, but also an emerging crop of young changemakers transforming British society through establishing new tech enterprises or successfully running for local council. Among those participating this year were Nadia Hussein, former deputy young mayor for Tower Hamlets and current Cambridge University student, social justice campaigner Ubah Ali, who was named one of BBC’s 100 most influential people in the world for 2020, and NourAlhuda Ali Banfas and Omar Serbia, two visionaries bringing the Somali Peninsula to life through photography and authorship.

BONFIRE NIGHT

By Lynette Wairegi

Remember, the 5th of November Fireworks shine brightly Blinding the night-time moon

Remember Guy Fawkes

The guy who tried to blow up parliament Well people say his soul is on the move

The smell of food wafted through the air Hot chocolate being served In the cold thin air

Children run around With excitement in their eyes As they see they colourful display They ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ Like there’s nothing in their way

Grown-ups laugh and chat While the fireworks paint the canvas in their own way Babies cry and play

Remember, the 5th of November The guy who tried to blow up parliament As the world celebrates bonfire night As fireworks light the night sky

Happiness is in the air Three cheers for bonfire night A hip hip and double hoorays

REMEMBRANCE DAY

By Lynette Wairegi

In the field, the poppies grow As people lower their heads For those they still love

As silence is hanging in the air One minute we dedicate for them

As we wear the poppies Green and red Their souls shine above us Bowing their heads

On the 11th of November The 11th month And the 11th hour Sadness fills the air As we remember those who were there

In the Flanders Fields Red poppies fill the air

Never forget They are still there You can’t see them Nor can your friends But if we believe They are in our hearts Forever and ever more

CHRISTMAS CHEER

By Lynette Wairegi

Christmas is coming Spread some Christmas cheer While the trees light up The choir sings with the reindeer

Warm milk sits on the table Waiting to be drank Baby Jesus cries in cradle Mother Mary cries in joy

Presents get open Smiles light the world Santa smiles above Knowing he’s done his job

Cold air fills the morning sky Snowmen are built Only to be put down

Christmas is joy Christmas is fun Christmas is everything And to be enjoyed just as much

RELIGION IS POWER

By Lynette Wairegi

Religion is power So mix the power up Simmer and bring it to a boil Add Christianity

Sprinkle some hope Take some Muslims and Hindus And take the heat up Blend Judaism and happiness Add a bit of love As the religions blend together The smell of friendship flies through the air

Mix Buddhism, Atheists and Sikhs Add a touch of harmony and peace Bake in the oven at 100 degrees

As you take a bite of my friendship pie You will taste the love in the air But don’t add to much Otherwise you’ll be in despair

KUGALI CEO DANSON NJOKA ON HOW COMICS AND ANIMATION CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

By Jamie Morris & Joshua Dixon-Muir

Meet Kugali – the entertainment company paving the way for a better future through authentic African storytelling…

2022 has been a landmark year for blockbuster African entertainment, with the release of both the historical epic The Woman King and the hotly-anticipated Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever. More is on the way in the new year, including the animated series Iwájú, an unprecedented collaboration between Disney and pan-African entertainment studio Kugali.

Unlike The Woman King, Iwájú is more concerned with Africa’s future than its past – and it’ll also be distinct from the Black Panther franchise in how it’s set in Lagos rather than a fictional domain like Wakanda. “We’re interested in reimagining our own narratives and creating the futures that we want to see,” says Kugali CEO Danson Njoka.

“Today, when my niece is watching anything on the TV, that content will predominantly still be white characters. To be able to see a positive representation of ourselves and feel a sense of pride in who we are is one of the things I want to see change.”

Danson grew up in Embu, Kenya, before studying engineering at Boston University in America. “At the time, it was the thing that if you did well academically, you became a doctor, an engineer, maybe a pilot…I like to joke that there was a form you were given with certain boxes,” he laughs.

This period in Danson’s life was accompanied by a number of revelations, including his introduction to the idea of having a racialized identity. “In Kenya, I wasn’t socialised as a Black person, so it was the first time I started to encounter being perceived differently,” he explains. “Someone asked me, ‘Do you wear banana leaves in Kenya?’ and while I laughed it off at the time, I’ve come to realise that it was a tragic reflection of what they thought was happening on the African continent.”

Around the same time, through conversations with his grandmother, Danson also began to learn more about Kenya’s past. He realised that, under capitalism, traditions like hair braiding, painting and dance had largely been lost to time due to their lack of commercial value, and he therefore sought to reconnect with these cultural roots.

“I was already working on a project to document my grandmother’s stories when I came across Kugali who,

as it turns out, were very passionate about creating a platform for African storytellers,” he says. “This was a place where I could not only carry on recording the stories of my own people, but also have a significant impact on people like me who didn’t realise that they could pursue creativity as a valid career path.”

Among these people was an artist from Kenya who enrolled on an engineering course but switched to graphic design upon their arrival at university, much to their parents’ initial dismay. Danson and the Kugali team brought them on board when they saw what a talented artist they were, and now they’re helping to work on Iwájú. “This is someone who had to very craftily get into this university program, and now has credits on a world-first collaboration with Disney,” Danson says. “They’re one of the best artists that we have and hopefully one of the very first, so that for me is a truly proud moment.”

Creating an animated series is a lengthy process, so we’ll have to wait a bit longer until we can see what Iwájú has to offer. In the meantime, however, Kugali is still regularly publishing comics, as well as experimenting with augmented reality.

“We were one of the first official lens creators with Snapchat, and we have done several campaigns,” Danson says. “If you go to Wembley Stadium, you can see virtual statues we created of Black British football players on your phone.”

“We also have that in some of our comics,” he adds. “Given how long it can take to produce this content, we want to give people bits of that story they can interact with further by having those characters exist digitally.”

For Danson, the bright futures depicted in Kugali’s comics and cartoons are more than just fiction –they’re a depiction of what the world could become once creators from across the African continent and diaspora come together to share their stories.

“I want the world to know us and I want us to define our own narratives, because that’s where we can start to shift some of the prejudices that still today lead to a very hostile, oppressive world for people of colour,” he says. “The world can be made more colourful, richer, and more exciting. I’m excited to see how the global film and art scene are going to be impacted and changed when we bring our voices, our art and our colours to it.”

BLACK HISTORY

MONTH: A NEW WAY TO CELEBRATE BLACK EXCELENCE

By Nur Mohamed

Those who know little about their past realities shall have vague and superficial knowledge about their present realities which portends future destiny built on shifting sands.

People with such attributes can never have their own narrative - past, present and future. No nation or race is condemned to eternal wretchedness and despite the seemingly heavy, insurmountable odds a nation or race may face, there shall always arise amongst them individuals with extraordinary intelligence and unwavering courage who infuse into their people a new spirit of revival. Turning the pages of history, one doesn’t fail to notice the rise of individuals of very high calibre who took upon themselves the mission to reform the way of thinking of their people and to fully transform their social outlook.

In the world’s historical records chronicling instances of humans engaged in struggles to free themselves from the yokes of oppression, subjugation and injustices there is no equivalence to what the black race had suffered. These struggles came in different forms and always had men spearheading them.

Celebrating Black History Month, though initially began as “Negro History Week” created in 1926 by none other than Carter G. Woodson, an African American educator, historian, journalist and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.

Celebrating the Black History Month becomes more multidimensional both in scope and reach. More and more people from diverse walks of life are getting more

involved and are playing very proactive roles in coming up with innovative ways to make the event not only for celebrations but for creating a new futuristic approach and setting an altogether new tone aimed at improving the lives of not only the black people but all those disadvantaged societies.

One such innovative approach to Celebrating Black History Month was adopted by three enterprising organisations AL-ABRAR FOUNDATION, GALBUR FOUNDATION and RAFIKI WEMA who organised an event showcasing Black Excellence. This event brought together young black visionaries who not only celebrated their phenomenal achievements but also calibrated a vision for a future world full of hopes and opportunities – hopes and opportunities which transcend all barriers, biases and prejudices of colour, race or religion.

This was not the typical celebration of Black History Month just complaining about past history despite its dehumanising, oppressive nature which subjugated entire race for centuries, rather this event was about the successes and achievements made through the dint of sacrifice, resilience and tenacity in the face of all present challenges and prejudices.

The panellists discussed both local and global issues. Some of the issues which occupied centre stage included the global impact of climate change, global politics, unfair distribution of wealth. They had pointed out the root causes and the devastating impact these have on the developing nations. They put forward a very ambitious vision and approach towards tackling the socio-economic ills plaguing the majority of the world’s population.

AL-ABRAR COMMUNITY CENTRE (ACC)

AL-ABRAR COMMUNITY CENTRE (ACC) was opened with the local community’s diverse needs at the heart of the vision behind its establishment.

A vision that all residents living in Islington and adjoining boroughs enjoy a high quality of life, are able to achieve their economic, civic, social and educational goals, and are part of a strong, prosperous and caring local community.

Located in the heart of the busy Fonthill Road, Finsbury Park Community Centre run by AL-ABRAR FOUNDATION endeavours to champion for the causes close to heart for the local communities.

Finsbury Park Community Centre is open to cater to the diverse needs the local community has as well as address the different issues affecting them. For this very reason, the centre runs a number of activities and programmes including but not limited to:

Community Advice & Guidance:

The centre offers free community advice & guidance over the phone and in person. Through this service the people are provided with the information, knowledge and the confidence they need to be able to access the public support services available to them.

The services the centre provides include:

• Translations

• Help with emails and application forms both online and in print

• Signposting and referrals

• Cultural awareness programmes

Mental Health for All:

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects directly or indirectly how we think, feel, and act in any given circumstances. Healthy state of mind also helps us to determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make appropriate choices in all spheres of our lives. Mental wellbeing is very important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

With this in mind, the centre organises activities such as:

• Youth clubs

• Women’s programmes

• Seniors’ cultural and social club (Poetry, tea and conversation)

• Dads’ Social Club

• Counselling sessions

The centre has several charities based in it which run different community programmes and activities. These charities, though they have their own individual programmes and activities, yet occasionally run joint ventures for wider reach and greater impact.

For more information please email: infor@al-abrar. org89/93 Fonthill Road, London, N4 3JH

WOMEN’S HEALTH: WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT MENOPAUSE?

By Galbur Foundation

What is it all about?

Menopause is when a woman no longer has a period. This usually means that they are no longer able to have any more children. Women usually go through menopause at the age of 45. When women go through menopause, there is a fluctuation of hormones; this is the decrease in estrogen levels, and this causes symptoms like

o Calcium levels decrease which causes muscle and bone problems

o mood swings fatigue

o hot flashes where wake a woman up from their sleep

o Not wanting to leave the house/ getting out of the house

o Dry skin

o Insomnia

o Irritability

o Hair loss and other skin problems

o Potential infections due to vaginal dryness

Symptoms like these can sometimes have an impact on a person’s mental health, especially because these symptoms have such a huge change in a woman’s life. It is important to remember that testing for breast cancer from age 25-30 is important to reduce the risk of further complications, especially when it is detected at an earlier stage

The medication HRT (hormonal replacement therapy) can be provided which helps regulate hormone levels. It is important to remember that HRT is dependent on the circumstances of the individual - every woman that goes through menopause has a different experience.

Increase the intake of calcium so that it reduces muscle and bone pain. Reduce stress by talking to friends and family and ensuring that women are joining social gatherings. This is what is good for the mind, and it is especially important for women who are mothers - put Uunsi on and get off social media.

Also, A hysterectomy (removal of the ovaries), forms of contraception such as the coil and the patch can help regulate hormones. Blood pressure tablets for those who cannot sleep at night. Therapy - sometimes talking to someone, especially a professional about any of the problems people go through helps guide them to a healthier mindset.

Changing eating habits and diet overall will helporganic foods are always going to be better for us. Foods like celery, kiwi and kale help aid mind and body health

Apple cider vinegar, reduce the number of sugars because the bacteria thrive in that kind of environment where the sugar intake is high. Yoghurt has good bacteria that reduce the growth of bad bacteria and promote good gut health – it also reduces acid reflux (eat less towards the end of the day).

Colonic cancers can be reduced by having a Mediterranean diet and foods that promote gut cleansing i.e., yoghurt, honey and foods that are high in vitamin D, and C - this would also lower weight and reduce the risk of diabetes. It is always essential to go to the doctors to help symptoms but having a good and healthy diet will make going through menopause a lot easier.

Change daily routine where there is an implementation of physical activities and general exercises reduce levels of insomnia and make the mind and body more tired  Taking paracetamol or a painkiller for every complication. It’s also advised that women talk to the GP about how going through menopause has had an impact on the woman’s mental health; the GP can prescribe anti-depressants.

Also, taking supplements like vitamin D and magnesium for bone and mental (depression) health and B12, vitamin C and calcium for bone health It would be better to receive vitamin D from sunlight. So, the next best alternative is to take tablets.

Ibuprofen gel or spray on the body for muscle/ bone/ joint pain. Drink lots of water. Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep, iron tablets and foods that are high in iron for anemia (this is where there are low hemoglobin levels in the blood).

Please remember, methods of relieving symptoms are dependent on the woman’s experience so not everyone may follow the same treatment.

KILLED BY MOULD: A COURT RULED

By Omar Mohammed

Two years old Awaab Ishak has died because of piled mould in family’s house belonging to a Housing associated in England. The father of the deceased toddler has reportedly told the housing association about the mould three years his kid passed away because of respiratory condition caused by a mould in their one-bed room flat in Manchester. Reports suggest that Awaab who was born prematurely at 31 weeks, didn’t have any serous health conditions that could lead to his death.

The toddler has first suffered shortage of breath on 19th December 2020 and was taken to emergency unit at Royal Oldham Hospital and was later that day recharged. However, his conditions got serous in the following day, where he had to be taken to the urgent care unit. There he suffered from respiratory and cardiac failures, he was transferred to the hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

The family has accused the Rochdale Housing Association of not having listened to them, despite their repetitive report about the mould developing though multiple years before the death of their son. A letter from the family tells the housing association to stop discriminating and being a racist by treating unfairly to those with foreign background.

Globally, worlfd Health Organisation (WHO) estimates a big proportion of worlds 300 million children suffering from asthma is due to persistent exposure to moisture or mould in their homes. According to NHS the mould is usually caused by too much moisture in homes due to leaking pipes, damp in basements or rain seeping inside the building because of damage to the ceiling or gaps around the window frames. It adds even newly built homes can develop mould, and this happen when the water used during the building has not yet dried fully.

England’s national health agency believes that mould in homes can lead to allergens, irritations, and sometimes toxic substances. These can damage people by inhaling or touching a mould. Immediate signs of mould caused health problems include sneezing, a runny nose, red eyes, and skin rash. NHS adds that living in a mouldy house could put people in a risk for asthma attacks.

Those at high risk from mould prompted health problems include babies, children, old people, those living with skin problems such atopic aczema, respiratory problems, and those with weak immune

system. It is recommended that no safe level of such mould in a house, thereby once mould is found in a house, the source of the excess moisture is to be identified. This helps families know what is causing or contributing to the humidity and necessary repairs can be easily done before it becomes a health problem.

To prevent it, however, health professionals believe letting fresh air into the house, adequate heating particularly in cold weather and constantly checking roofs, windows and pipes are not leaking and letting water in are the most important preventive measures every house needs to put into practice.

NEW HEALTHCARE STARTUPS STEPPING UP TO SUPPORT UK’S OVERWHELMED CARE SECTOR

By Omar Mohammed

The covid-19 has revealed how precarious our health infrastructure and facilities are. The pressure to meet essential health services and social care continues to exceed the capacity of the current health and social care industry.

You can maintain your independence right in your own home. Having a carer visit your home to assist can relieve stress on you and your loved ones and lead to a higher quality of life, whether you require care due to an injury, assistance with mobility, or just some company. At Egeh’s care, we make it a point to pay close attention to our clients’ wants and needs because, to us, it’s all about you, says Saida, the company’s registered manager.

She adds that having one of our carers visit them at home for a few hours per day to help with chores will be enough to provide comfort and company. Others will require more intensive assistance, which can be provided on a live-in or live-out basis. Regardless of the level of care required, Egeh’s care team will always work with you to design a service package that will allow you or a loved one to live life to the fullest at home.

The Health Organisation reports that there are huge and widening workforce gaps NHS faces today. Adding that such labour shortages would continue in the next ten years as well. This means that there are currently up to over half million social care staff the UK would need to fully recover the pandemic and meet and stabilise the ever-growing demand for more qualified social workers, according to the report.

There are many business start-ups that are now trying to fill this gap, recruit and mobilise local workers and offer social care services without relying on foreign hired carers. Egeh’s Care is a domiciliary care agency is one of them. This company was founded in January 2022 by five sisters and 2 brothers with extensive industry experience.

The idea for starting the business came from their late grandmother Khadija Ali, whom they all adored. As they spent most of their time caring for and nurturing her. This beloved grandmother Khadija Ali inspired them, so when she passed, they knew that they had to change the current state of care received by the elderly, and that’s how the idea of Egeh’s care came about. So, because Egeh’s Care is a family business, all employees have many years of experience in their respective role. And the company provides firstclass home care. Based on an initial assessment to decide what makes one’s life enjoyable and easier, the company can provide a tailored, holistic personcentred care.

The company promises to provide upbeat, highquality service that is individualised, kind, and respectful of all your needs. It’s, however, crucial to think and to pay attention to the little things, like how you take your tea and how long you like to spend getting dressed, to provide you with highquality, respectful care. One can feel more at ease receiving care in the comfort of their own home. You get to decide when you want to get care! We can adjust our schedules to fit yours. What makes unique Eggeh’s care is that they are available for visits as short as 30 minutes or as long as 24 hours.

Home Care services they provide include:

• Companionship and socialisation

• assistance with meal preparation and eating

• Shopping, prescription collection, administering medication and other similar tasks

• Personal care

• Promoting and assisting in the provision of continence care

• Basic housekeeping/laundry

• Going on outings and participating in community-based activities

• Handyman services if needed

• Escorting to and from appointment

Egge’s care company hires both experienced care workers and those new to the profession. All our care workers demonstrate High level of professionalism, respectful, kindness and passion for their work.

For more information: https://egehscare.co.uk

MEN: IT’S TIME TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING -

By Joseph Clayton

As a society, it is vital that we all prioritise our mental health, making sure that we are treating it with as much priority and importance as we would our physical health. However, it is time for more men to speak out about their mental health and wellbeing, with around 40% of men still not admitting to others around them when they are suffering and having a hard time.

In recent years, more and more men in the UK are committing suicide due to suffering from illnesses such as depression and anxiety, with suicide being the largest cause of death for men under the age of 50. This is caused by not enough men understanding the importance of talking about their mental health, leading many to suffer in silence. Due to this, men are found to be more irritable and experience sudden anger and loss of control, highlighting the consequences of men being silent.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, three times as many men as women die by suicide in the UK every year, with only 36% of referrals to NHS talking therapies being for men. This is supported by statistics such as that in 2017, nearly 6,000 suicides were recorded in the UK, and of this, over 75% were men.

In particular, higher rates of male suicide are found in minority communities, including men from BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) backgrounds. This is because Black men are more likely to have experienced a psychotic disorder than white men, leading Black men being four times as likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act than white men.

However, society’s expectations and traditional gender roles have been shown as a key explanation for why many men feel that they are unable to express how they are feeling, believing that they should not be showing emotion. This is because many men are expected to portray themselves as tough and strong, therefore neglecting their mental health which as a result can have devastating consequences such as many men ending their lives. Therefore, this clearly emphasises why it is so important for men to break this toxic stigma and get the mental health support they need. So where can men get the help that they need to improve their mental health and wellbeing?

NHS therapy and counselling services: If you’re aged 18 or over and live in England, you can access the NHS psychological therapy services. These services offer talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural

therapy (CBT), counselling or guided self-help for people suffering from depression, anxiety, PTSD etc. For more information visit: nhs.uk/nhs-services/ mental-health-services/

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): CALM is an organisation which is standing up against stereotypes, the sigma of mental health and against suicide. CALM has a helpline dedicated to supporting men who need mental health support. You’re able to call from 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year. For more information on CALM, visit: thecalmzone.net

Samaritans: Samaritans are a charity dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection which can often lead to suicide. Samaritans have a helpline that people can call if they are suffering from mental health issues or are feeling suicidal, which is open 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year. However, they also have a self-help app where you can keep track of how you’re feeling, which also gives you recommendations for how to help yourself cope. For more information visit: samaritans.org

Heads Up Guys: Heads Up Guys is an online, anonymous resource designed for men, aimed at preventing deaths by suicide. On their website you are able to find a therapist in your area and how you can contact them. For more information visit: headsupguys.org

But there are also many ways that we can help, and get involved to try and raise awareness for male mental health. One way that we can get involved, especially during this time of the year is through the charity Movember, as their yearly campaign begins once again on 1st November until 30th November 2022. Movember has been making significant strides in the UK with their mental health and suicide prevention projects. This is shown through their social innovators challenge which funds creative programmes at restoring and strengthening social connections for men.

One way for you to get involved with Movember would be to grow a moustache, raising funds and awareness for men’s mental health. You could also take part in ‘Move for Movember’ by walking or running 60km over November for the 60 men that we lose to suicide each hour across the world. You can keep track of all of your fundraising through downloading the Movember app, with Movember being able to use the funds that you raise to fund groundbreaking health projects across male mental health and suicide prevention.

MY HIV DIAGNOSIS

By David L. Lester-Masse

Through modern technology and the advancement of science, HIV is not the death sentence it was 40 years ago. But it is the thing most of us living with it fear will eventually take us out.HIV is a diagnosis that is not the same as any other.

losing this fight. And I wonder, is it even worth it?

In the beginning

I will never forget being in a relationship with the person I thought I was going to spend the rest of my life with. We shared a home, a life, and a mutual understanding of what we wanted our future to be.I am the type of person who loves deeply and likes to go into most situations knowing all of the details. My partner’s health was one of those things I thought I knew, but not to the extent I should have.

pamphlet, and I left the building.

Trying to digest any information at that point seemed useless because there was nothing a pamphlet, a Google search, or even my family could do for me. They didn’t know my truth. This was my body, my diagnosis, and my life.

On the drive home, I was busy thinking about how I would disclose my diagnosis to my (then) partner. The strangest thing was, when I sat him down to share my news … he said nothing. Not a word of advice, support, anger, or remorse. Nothing!

The stigma still exists. And it doesn’t seem to be getting any better. At least not for those of us who live with this reality every day.There may be many of you reading this article who are in a mental space where you’re not sure about life, finances, love and relationships, medication adherence, or when and how to begin a health regimen. Which can make maintaining your mental health a challenge.

Depression affects so many of us living with HIV.Sure, I’m an advocate for people with HIV, but trust me, sometimes those of us out here advocating are hit the hardest with depressive thoughts. There are days when I don’t want to get out of bed. When I have no desire to do any of the things I love. When I don’t want to go to work or be bothered with life. Period!

As an advocate, there are times when I am not sure that what I’m saying is uplifting others. And times when I’m not sure the knowledge about best practices is getting through to those who need it most. Especially when I see the rates at which we are still

When he shared his HIV diagnosis with me, I thought,  OK, this is something that he’s managing. I didn’t see him take any medications for it, and I didn’t go to any doctors’ appointments with him. At that point, I’d known about HIV, but this was my first time dealing with it up close and personal.

Let’s pause. If I could give you any word of advice or caution: Find out as much as you can about the person you’re in a relationship with. When they start to hide or tell half-truths about something as important as their health, pay attention! If you’re being intimate with them, it’s no longer just about their health. Your health is important as well!

Positively unprepared

When I sat in a room over 10 years ago and was told my life would change forever, I had no idea to what extent it would change.

When they shared the news of my diagnosis with me, I promise, everything after that sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher talking — I didn’t hear a word they said. I replied by nodding my head, they gave me a

Shortly after this interaction, I would come home from work to find him, and all of his belongings, gone.

When I realized there was no one but me in the townhome I’d planned to spend my future in, every thought imaginable went through my head: Who would I tell first? How would they respond?

Given the stigma around HIV, who would want to be around me now? What if I told no one and just ended it all right here in this house?

But I knew I couldn’t do that. I knew I mattered to someone. I wouldn’t want them to find me in that state, left wondering what happened, spending years of their own lives without answers or proper context.

So, I did the only thing I knew to do — I kept my diagnosis to myself. For years, I attended gatherings with family and friends and said absolutely nothing.

For more: www.healthline.com/ health/depression

BRILLIANT BUSES: THE BENEFITS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT

By Tristan Best

Here are just a few reasons why catching the bus could help to save the planet… Sharing a bus with multiple people decreases everyone’s CO2 emissions, leading to a smaller carbon footprint. When you share a bus with 19 other people – including the driver – you divide the standard CO2 emissions by 20, enabling you to emit a much smaller amount of CO2 than if you were driving a car.

In the grand scheme of things, taking the bus is a cheaper alternative to taxis or running your own vehicle. I pay £12 to get to work at 5am in the morning when the buses aren’t running, but it only costs me £5 to get home via the bus system. Catching the bus can also be safer than driving early in the morning or after a long day at work. You may be tired or impatient after a bad night’s sleep or from working all day, and therefore may be inclined to make rash decisions. If this is something you think might affect you, consider getting the bus.

Availability is another perk of public transport. Your local bus service is usually reliable, and you can check live schedules online via a smartphone to line up with when you leave your home or work. For instance, Trentbarton has a very efficient website which contains bus times, routes, live departures, travel alerts and ticket prices.

Buses also have excellent range. With most buses these days, you’re able to scale the steepest of journeys, especially with an all-day ticket that lets you exchange between buses for no added cost. I’ve managed to get from Allestree in Derby to Nottingham city centre (and back) for a small price of £7, due to the convenience of the Trentbarton Zigzag ticket.

New-style electric buses are popping up everywhere, meaning the margins are creeping ever closer towards fully-green routes. This will eventually change the game for good, if our exceptionally intelligent community manages to uncover the purest way of harvesting energy to translate into electricity.

Elderly people over the age of 66 can get access to buses for free with a special travel card. Reduced prices are available for younger people too, depending on your circumstances – so have a look for what deals are available.

All of that being said, there are also some downsides to public transport to bear in mind.

Germs are easily spread due to the large number of passengers exchanging seats throughout the day – something that deterred many from using public transport during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. On the other hand, you can conquer this issue by using hand sanitiser and/or wearing a facemask during your journey.

Buses will sometimes run behind schedule, due to any accidents or traffic jams that may occur on your route, which cannot be helped. If your route becomes blocked for any given reason, it will take you much longer to get home. You’ll have to re-route, which may add at least 15-30 minutes onto your journey time –sometimes even-more, as I have recently experienced!

If you’re an anxious person, you may find using the bus a little daunting. You may find yourself sitting next to ‘stressinducing people’, tapping, chewing or even bad hygiene. We all have to deal with these people once in a while.

Nonetheless, there are many more upsides to getting the bus than not – so why not consider making a change to your routine if you feel public transport may be right for you?

THE POWER OF PETS: HOW THEY CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR MENTAL HEALTH -

By Tristan Best

From my personal experience, having pets is one of the biggest blessings in life. Even though most of them can’t speak, they understand you and love you unconditionally. When your day at work has been harder than usual, they’ll be there for you, for that cuddle and their dinner.

enormous passion for them, so I asked her how they benefit her mental health. She said, “It’s usually when you’re feeling down and out for the day when one of your pets comes and gives you that nudge you need. I love hugging and cuddling my cats – they have played a huge role in my household for years and will continue for many years to come.” She could be known as ‘the cat lady’ for all I know. She has a lot of cats: Timmy, Raven and Penny.

Louis, a music producer from Mackworth – dogs

I asked Louis how he thinks dogs affect his and general people’s mental health and he replied, “A dog is a man’s best friend. They’ll show you so much love no matter who you are in life, just as long as you treat them well”. He also spoke about how lonely people with dogs are likely to be cheered up and kept busy by their dogs and other pets. Naturally, that gives them their headspace and feeling of importance that they need, to know they’re a major part of their day, going for walks, feeding them, hugging them, and just sharing a general affection with one another. Louis has two Jack Russells called Gordy and Milo.

Kieran, a student from Allestree – cats and fish

Me and my household love the company of the feline sort. We’ve got plenty of cats, some who barely set foot outside – we call them the ‘house cats’. A great example of this would be Tiddles. He loathes the outdoors – the wind, the rain, the snow and the other animals out there. He’s softly spoken and loves to drink his weight in milk on a daily basis. Having pets is such a luxury – a gift for sure. I asked some people from my community a few questions regarding their opinions on pets and the impact their pets have on their mental health.

Jude, a retiree from Kedleston – birds

I asked Jude a couple of questions regarding her lifestyle, and whether she had pets. She mentioned that she had a cat called Gary, but what really caught my attention was her love for her two beautiful birds, an Indian Ringneck called Cherry Plum and a blue beaut called Kevin. They might be loud and messy, but they always provide the best company, making sure their presence is known. Cherry Plum is seven – he’s been around for a long time and will be with her for many years to come. Kevin is two and a half, so he’s still very young. He is a Blue Kakariki – ‘kaka’ meaning parrot, and ‘riki’ meaning small.

Laura, a carer from Allestree – cats Laura happened to mention her many cats and her

My little brother Kieran loves his fish – and to fish. We’ve been going a lot quite recently, and have caught a lot on the way. Yes, we may not catch record breakers, but we catch up with each other, and more importantly he gets his head away from school and homework (not that he actually does his homework). All of this cheers him up and gets him outside.

His fish at home, on the other hand, are members of our family. Kieran loves to spend time with Nemo and Dory (unoriginal, I know), watching them swim and do their thing. Dory is the small one, and Nemo is the bigger one.

Kieran also loves his cats. He grew up with them, so he’s found himself developing great bonds with all of his cats, he had his own cat who sadly passed away with old age. He speaks fondly of her – her name was Scraggs, and she was a gorgeous grey persian. Now he has cats such as Teddy Bear, Mia and Marina. They make him laugh and give him someone to play with when other people in his household are busy.

Overall, after speaking to various people, I find animals of all kinds have a positive impact on human mental health. But remember – you must make sure to leave a positive impact on them too by providing proper care to any animal you keep as a pet.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DEPRESSION (MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER)

By Vara Saripalli, Psy.D.

What is depression?

Depression is classified as a mood disorder. It may be described as feelings of sadness, loss, or anger that interfere with a person’s everyday activities. It’s also fairly common. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionTrusted Source estimates that 18.5 percent of American adults had symptoms of depression in any given 2-week period in 2019.

Though depression and grief share some features, depression is different from grief felt after losing a loved one or sadness felt after a traumatic life event. Depression usually involves self-loathing or a loss of self-esteem, while grief typically does not. In grief, positive emotions and happy memories of the deceased typically accompany feelings of emotional pain. In major depressive disorder, the feelings of sadness are constant.

People experience depression in different ways. It may interfere with your daily work, resulting in lost time and lower productivity. It can also influence relationships and some chronic health conditions.

Conditions that can get worse due to depression include: arthritis | asthma | cardiovascular disease | cancer | diabetes | obesity

It’s important to realize that feeling down at times is a normal part of life. Sad and upsetting events happen to everyone. But if you’re feeling down or hopeless on a regular basis, you could be dealing with depression.

Depression is considered a serious medical condition that can get worse without proper treatment.

Depression symptoms

Depression can be more than a constant state of sadness or feeling “blue.”

Major depression can cause a variety of symptoms. Some affect your mood and others affect your body. Symptoms may also be ongoing or come and go.

females, teens, and children.

Males may experience symptoms related to their:

• mood, such as anger, aggressiveness, irritability, anxiousness, or restlessness

• emotional well-being, such as feeling empty, sad, or hopeless

General signs and symptoms

Not everyone with depression will experience the same symptoms. Symptoms can vary in severity, how often they happen, and how long they last.

If you experience some of the following signs and symptomsTrusted Source of depression nearly every day for at least 2 weeks, you may be living with depression:

• feeling sad, anxious, or “empty”

• feeling hopeless, worthless, and pessimistic

• crying a lot

• feeling bothered, annoyed, or angry

• loss of interest in hobbies and interests you once enjoyed

• decreased energy or fatigue

• difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making decisions

• moving or talking more slowly

• difficulty sleeping, early morning awakening, or oversleeping

• appetite or weight changes

• chronic physical pain with no clear cause that does not get better with treatment (headaches, aches or pains, digestive problems, cramps)

• thoughts of death, suicide, selfharm, or suicide attempts

The symptoms of depression can be experienced differently among males,

• behavior, such as loss of interest, no longer finding pleasure in favorite activities, feeling tired easily, thoughts of suicide, drinking excessively, using drugs, or engaging in high-risk activities

• sexual interest, such as reduced sexual desire or lack of sexual performance

• cognitive abilities, such as inability to concentrate, difficulty completing tasks, or delayed responses during conversations

• sleep patterns, such as insomnia, restless sleep, excessive sleepiness, or not sleeping through the night

• physical well-being, such as fatigue, pains, headache, or digestive problems

Females may experience symptoms related to their:

• mood, such as irritability

• emotional well-being, such as feeling sad or empty, anxious, or hopeless

• behavior, such as loss of interest in activities, withdrawing from social engagements, or thoughts of suicide

• cognitive abilities, such as thinking or talking more slowly

• sleep patterns, such as difficulty sleeping through the night, waking early, or sleeping too much

• physical well-being, such as decreased energy, greater fatigue, changes in appetite, weight changes, aches, pain, headaches, or increased cramps

For more: https://www.healthline. com/health/depression#symptoms

WORLD AIDS DAY 2022 EMPHASISES ‘GLOBAL SOLIDARITY AND SHARED RESPONSIBILITY’

By Jamie Morris

World AIDS Day has taken place every December since 1988 – here’s why its 35th iteration is just as important.

Knowing the meanings of and the distinction between these two terms is key to understanding the goals of World AIDS Day. HIV stands for ‘human immunodeficiency virus’, and weakens the body’s ability to fight everyday infections and disease by damaging the cells in the immune system. AIDS, on the other hand, is the acronym for ‘acquired immune deficiency syndrome’, and describes a number of life-threatening infections and illnesses that can occur if your immune system has been compromised by HIV.

the infection to others

People being treated for HIV whose levels of the virus are undetectable for at least six months are unable to pass the infection on.

HIV is not as easily transmitted as cold and flu viruses or Covid-19. Saliva, sweat and urine do not contain enough of the virus to infect someone, but semen, vaginal fluids, blood, breast milk and the lining inside the anus do. Therefore, most people diagnosed with HIV in the UK acquire the virus through unprotected vaginal or anal sex.

Every year without fail on 1st December, people from all over the world come together to stand in solidarity with people living with HIV, and to pay their respects to those who have died from AIDSrelated illness.

Founded in 1988 by James Bunn and Thomas Netter, World AIDS Day was the first ever internationallyobserved day focused on people’s health. At the time, 1st December was decided upon as the optimal day for western media attention due to it falling between the US presidential election (won by George H. W. Bush) and the Christmas holidays, and it’s been held on the same day ever since.

Over the decades, the day has massively boosted public awareness of AIDS, with the likes of the President of the United States and the Pope making statements to kickstart discussions around AIDS and HIV every year.

With an early diagnosis and effective treatments, most people with HIV will not develop any AIDS-related illnesses and can live a long, healthy and happy life. However, many people around the world still face social and economic barriers to treatment – something highlighted by healthcare inequalities during the pandemic – which is why the theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is ‘global solidarity and shared responsibility’.

This World AIDS Day, everyone from grassroots community activists to governments and faith leaders are being urged to join the fight to ensure that health systems are fully-financed, testing and treatment is made more accessible, human rights are respected and gender equality is recognised.

The United Nations aims to eliminate AIDS as a public health problem by 2030 by preventing HIV transmissions. The figure it’s using as a goal is ‘90-90-90’, which refers to making sure that:

• 90% of people living with HIV are diagnosed

• 90% of people who are diagnosed receive effective treatment

• 90% of people receiving treatment are unable to pass on

People who are at risk of contracting HIV include men who have sex with men, transgender women, sex workers, people who inject drugs, and anyone with a HIV-positive partner. In addition, Black heterosexual people and migrants to the UK may also both be at risk.

Symptoms of HIV may not appear for years after transmission, so the only way to find out if you have it is to get tested, which is a service provided to anyone free of charge on the NHS. If you discover you don’t have HIV, but are still at risk of contracting it, you could be eligible for a free prescription of pre-exposure HIV prophylaxis – or PrEP, for short – which is a small, blue tablet that protects from transmission.

Whether it’s by making the decision to get tested yourself, supporting a friend or helping to raise awareness more broadly, there are many ways to get involved on World AIDS Day. You can also make a donation online and stand in solidarity by wearing a red ribbon. Whatever you do, make it count.

Find out more at worldaidsday.org and yoursexualhealthmatters.org.uk

COVID-19 IMPACTS ON MICRO

By Omar Mohammed

In UK small and medium size businesses, according to bank of England, contribute 45 percent of the total revenues, and employ 60 percent of the private sector employment. More importantly, small businesses represent a lifeline for millions of people whose income and earnings come directly or indirectly from such economic activity. This means that small businesses make huge contributions to our economy and employment.

However, because they are not legally required to present formal profit and loss accounts, small individual or family-owned micro business operate largely informal, hence lack proper business books and plans. They are usually run by family or relative members with limited management skills, experience, and knowledge, and because these businesses largely rely on personal or family earnings and savings, they and do not usually pursue external finances and investment options.

Nevertheless, in addition to the over four million lives lost for reasons attributable to covid-19, there are huge economic and business shocks the pandemic has caused. The impacts can be varied from communities and localities, but most certainly have been severe for micro and small businesses owned and run by individuals from disadvantaged persons. Governments small business grants offered to self-employed individuals, micro and small businesses during the pandemic have substantially supported them and enabled them to continue paying vital costs for their operations.

However, to some communities, there were structural challenges to access government grants while they needed them most, these complexities include, according to some businesses, the short termism nature of most of government interventions, while the goodwill and future certainties constitute an integral part of the any business survival strategy.

The government introduced lockdowns and restrictions might have been lifted long time ago, and the pandemic might look over, but for communities, post-pandemic business environment continues

AND SMALL BUSINESSES

to be tough to run or even to think of business idea. Particularly this period, when the Bank of England wans the economy to experience Country’s longest recession in about a century. A recession is usually characterized with a persistent decline in major economic activities, reduction in consumer demand and higher unemployment rates. Bank of England anticipates this general economic downturn to last at least years.

This coupled by the months of total lock down and restrictions on people’s movements during the peak times of the pandemic, has dramatically dismantled already fragile businesses chains, disrupted traditional client systems and marketing structures particularly for self-employed individuals and micro and small business owners.

These impacts though may vary in scope and durations from sector to sector, businesses, and individuals we spoke to told us that there is noticeable micro business closing their doors since the pandemic started. For those still running, they told us about a significant reduction in revenues and operations due to reasons related to covid-19.

Pandemics do not just come and disappear, they usually come with huge uncertainties, which continues to be a major problem to most businesses even though the government has officially ended the lock down restrictions.

Due to the sole proprietorship nature of most micro businesses, owners had the predicament that compelled them ot abandon their business plans or shift to a different sector, they know very little about. Though business mortality remains a largely under reported phenomenon, it’s a visible reality among immigrant minority communities. Service providers, delivery business, food retailers and transport service are areas that have seen most of shifts because of covid-19 according to people we spoke to.

A. M a farther of four, is an entrepreneur in London’s islington borough has sold out his food retailer during pandemic. Abdi told MOJATU MEDIA that due to the souring running costs and uncertainties around the future of the food sector, he had to give up his business aspirations. He adds that because of the lockdowns, he had to go for other paid employments, which further left his business unsustainable.

FEARS OVER DEBT AS MORE PEOPLE COULD TURN TO LOAN SHARKS TO COVER CHRISTMAS

By Omar Mohammed

Christmas is a time people celebrate, share joy and happiness, but due to the souring costs of living is making many families poorer, this year it will unquestionably be a time of struggling for many families and individuals.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT) statistics reveal that about one percent of those who go for loans went to loan sharks for money they would use to cover their Christmas related cost this year. More worryingly, over half of these people turned to illegal money lenders to support their ever-increasing costs of living for the first of 2022.

Throuth increased suspected loan shark arrests across the UK, the government reports over one million victims could have already been dealing with debts as result of illegal money lender. This represents about 700.000 more people than most the most recent official records.

Why are loan sharks illegal and differ from conventional credit services?

Citizen advice considers loan shark as any money lending set, procedures or act completed outside the rules and regulation set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and therefore considers any of these process as breaking the law and illegal.

Loan sharks present a significant threat to the safety, security, and the well-being of many individuals. They use deceptive tactics that can isolate people from their friends, family, and from all support services. You can put that at and end today and stop the suffering these criminals inflict on borrowers.

Because of this unlawfulness, loan sharks usually target the most vulnerable communities and individuals and put them in an interminable cycle of debts with extremely higher interest rates without standard and agreeable timeframes, and to some extent the use of threats and violence, with rare or no papers detailing a contract.

IMLT, which since its inception in 2004, have supported 30,000 victims and has managed to write off close to £90 million worth of illegal debt, suggests the following to protect yourself and your loved ones from falling to loan shark traps.

• It’s important to think carefully before taking out a loan and consider other options.

• Never send money or give credit card, online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don’t know or trust.

• Before you borrow, it’s important that check and research first the firm or person you’re dealing with is listed on the Financial Services Register.

• Consider other lawful, available alternatives. Credit unions for example are a lifeline for many people, with their services helping members to save regularly, borrow responsibly and keep track of their finances.

• If you’re worried about a friend or family member, or if you need help yourself, Stop Loan Sharks can offer confidential advice and support.

Contact the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline on 0300 555 2222 for support

or visit www.stoploansharks.co.uk. Live Chat is available on the website between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday.

For media enquiries and interview requests, please email: press@stoploansharks.gov.uk

DIGITAL INCLUSION PROGRAM

Rafiki Wema (RW) in partnership with Al-abrar and Mojatu foundations offers free computer and online skills training for adults from minority communities in and around London.

In today’s digital economy, computer and online skills are becoming a necessity for our societies to secure jobs, attend and access learning institutions and cope with their day-to-day personal and household lives. The pandemic exposed the ever-widening digital divide between communities, as minority communities continue to lag behind in the field of digital skills, which further exacerbates the adverse impacts on them in different spheres of lives. Digital exclusion for these communities increases social isolation, economic hardships, lack of access to employment, education, health services and other vital public services.

TRAINING CONTENTS

• Major computer applications, MS world, MS EXCEL

• Online Search Engine, using Google chrome for job searches and filling applications.

• Online and social media safety

WHY IS THIS TRAINING?

This digital inclusion program aims at ensuring adults from minority communities with limited English and Information Technology (IT) skills are not left behind and enabling them to actively participate in the limitless growth and development opportunities that our economy can offer to them. Somali and Arabic translation services will be available upon request as an intervention throughout the training period.

WHEN IS THE TRAINING?

The training starts on 20 February 2023 and lasts six weeks, in which trainees will be equipped with practical computer skills, its major components as well as google search engine, for job searches, online safety for adults and parents from the most disadvantaged families and communities in London.

APPLICATIONS

Applications are currently open for application and will close on 10 February. This training is limited to only 15 trainees, so a first come first serve basis will be employed to consider applications and select those who will attend.

CONTACTS

Email: Admin@rafikiwema.com Tell: 020 33369313 WhatsApp: 07393210058