Mojatu Magazine Berkshire B035

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Covid Vaccine MYTHS How To Sleep BETTER GRENFELL, Four Years On Profile For Award PANACHE ACRE COMMUNITY HUB: Pg 26-32 Health, Jobs, Training + much more

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Female Genital Mutilation

FGM – FACTS, HELP & ACTIONS Facts

• FGM is any procedure that intentionally alter or cause injury to the female genital organs for non-medical reasons.

• FGM has been illegal in England and Wales since 1985.

• FGM is a form of child abuse and violence against women and girls.

• • FGM is Non-Islamic, against the teachings of Islam and brings Islam into disrepute.

• FGM is putting the health of our daughters, sisters, mothers and wives at great risk.

• • Over 200 million girls and women worldwide have undergone FGM. • 10,000 girls aged under 15 who have migrated to England and Wales are likely to have undergone FGM. Taking Th • In Nottingham, about 85 new cases were recorded through NHS in 2016/17.

Taking The City To the Fa Taking The City To the Farm

Help

Are you concerned a girl or woman is at risk or need support?

• • Join the Community FGM Steering Group: Contact us • For emotional & peer support for survivors in Nottingham, join the FGM Survivor’s club: Contact us Free • Refer survivors needing medical attention to FGM medical specialist in Nottingham: Contact us Sessions: Free Refugee • Sessions: Free FGM helpline Refugees & Asylum Seeker • Call 0808 028 350 for a 24/7 anonymous or email: fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk Tuesdays Welcome Sessions: • Call Nottingham City Council Children and Families Direct: 0115 876Seekers 4800 Saturdays Tuesdays • Ring the police on 999 if FGM has just happened or about to happen Saturdays Tuesdays ADOP Activities include: Saturdays ADOPT A TREE include:Fruit Harvesting Actions Activities Fruit Harvesting Tree Management Activities To help end FGM and support survivors, join oneinclude: of our campaigns or projects Tree ManagementWeeding for Pumpkin Fruit Harvesting • FGM Survivors Club • Volunteer with us Feeding the animals Weeding for Pumpkins & Maize Form Tree Management • FGM Steering Group • ‘Adopt a tree’ project https://go Feeding the Pumpkins & Maize • FGM Global Faith Ambassador Weeding• for Donate to support ouranimals work Form online @ • FGM Global Young Ambassador Feeding •the Fundraise our work oodland 9sz animals to support https://goo.gl/WyH

W gement d n a l ana ionEDIBL d o M o ment W E ss s‘18 e SeWOODLA https:// /5kc14y ag nEDIBLE nd n a l a d p M o e s o S W ment pr- Home Farm, Screv AEcocentre, ssio ‘18 SeWOODLAND For more information, contact Foundation p www.farmeco e ManeasgseioMojatu S s n 927671 pr Home Farm, Screveton, NG13 8JL AEcocentre, https://goo.g Mojatu Foundatio S e07759 Phone: 01158457009 Mobile: 8 1 ‘ p www.farmeco.co.uk S r T: 0115 784 6666 | M: Ro 07 p Email: info@mojatufoundation.org |AWebsite: www.mojatufoundation.org Mojatu Foundation | 167 Alfreton https://goo.gl/pEK1AC

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Contents

Editor’s Welcome Thanks to the power of positive community spirit that continue to bring synergy that overpowers the impact Covid-19 has had on us all in the last 18 months.

Summer came and now slowly fading away as we get ready to face the winter with the same positive synergy.

Thanks to the community champions who continue to enable this through facilitating the Health & Wellbeing awareness and education initiatives.

News & Sports Disaster Capitalism ......................................................4 Life in a Refugee Camp ...............................................6 Violence Surrounding Black Women .....................8 Community Bishop Elect Margaret Tanui’s Journey............... 10 Embracing Your Life’s Mission ..................................12 Night Owl The Beginning ...........................................14

Our cover star for this quarter is an ever positively energetic Janet Bockarie, a great community champion locally and abroad - get to know her more.

Despite the difficult 18 months, we read how much Dr Joyce Muiruri and Bishop Elect Margret Tanui have achieved through supporting our community members practically and spiritually -the community celebrates them as they receive their awards.

Black People Didn’t Lose Euro, England Did..... 15

GOLDERS as they share how they now are as well as how they locked out from the lockdown in style. Our poet, Annice Thomas continue to cheer us up while Dr Esther Oenga innovatively defines the word EMPOWERMENT which has been the key driver to the communities’ highly positive synergy.

Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights ............ 22

With many young people and those from Black and ethnic minority background experincing difficulties in getting work and improving their skills, this issue es &identifies Asylum the opportunities available for training, employment and support for local communities in rs Welcome Reading.

Kutambua transforming BAME Youths............... 30

he Cit Meet the Reading armthey got to where

We trust you will enjoy reading this issue and we look forward to your comments and feedback.

PT A TREE

Managing Editor: Mojatu Magazine Email: news@mojatu.com

Editorial

GrenFell Four Years On ............................................ 17 Profile for Panache Award 2021............................ 19 Arts & Culture The Simply Gospel Show......................................... 20 Health & Food Empowering to Empower 2021........................... 23 Covid Vaccine Myths ................................................ 26 Education & Career ACRE 344 Community Hub..................................... 28 Jobs Positions Available .......................................... 31

Cover

Mojatu Media Disclaimer The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publishers. Every effort has been made to ensure that the contents of this magazine are accurate but the publisher cannot take responsibility for errors, omissions, nor can we accept responsibility for the advertisements or editorial contributions.

ns & Maize

Group Editor: Frank Kamau - frank@mojatu.com

m onlin Editor: Cecily Mwaniki - info@utulivu.co.uk oo.gl/Design: Robert Borbely - robert@mojatu.com Photos: www.freepik.com

Ophelie Lawson | Cleo Hanson | LEWContributors: Kairel McLeary-Barnes | Rosie Vacciana-Browne ANw| Lynnette Wairegi | Pa Modou Faal | Anna Nagy

Ecocentr

veton, NG13 8JL

| Sarah Kaironge | Jaya Gordon-Moore | Angela

o.co.uk Wathoni | Brenda Wanjiku | Tatjana Smith | Neelaveni

.gl/pEK1 on | 167 Padayachee & Varsha Bangalee | Tiana Browne | Katie 751 1176 | E: angela@moj oad,366 NG7 3JR| Kayleigh Holmes Rawson | Katarzyna Rybarczyk | gela@moj Gurbax Kaur | Edrissa Touray @ IT / Social Media: Eva Karanja @mojatu_foundation Sales & Marketing / Community Engagement: Abdoulie Jah - jah@mojatu.com

Mojatu Team

Kevin Price - kevin.price@mojatu.com Edwin Ubah - eddy@mojatu.com Accounts: Angela Wathoni - angela@mojatu.com Admin: Penny Cooper - penny@mojatu.com News & Comments: news@mojatu.com Getting the magazine Online @ www.mojatu.com/magazines Subscription @ £24 per year including postage Address: 555 Northumberland Avenue, Reading, Berkshire, RG2 8NX, T: 0115 8457 009 | 07859 063643 Facebook: www.facebook.com/mojatu Twitter: https://twitter.com/UtulivuRdg Printers: Mojatu Media

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News & Sports

DISASTER CAPITALISM,

the shock doctrine & forced migration - By Ophelie Lawson You might wonder, what on earth is disaster capitalism and the shock doctrine?

Let me explain: The “shock doctrine” is a political strategy that consists in using the public disorientation following large-scale crises and disasters - wars, natural disasters, pandemics - (in other words massive collective shocks) to push through policies that systematically deepen inequality, enrich elites and which would normally never be accepted in ordinary circumstances. It uses the public’s disorientation following a collective shock to push through radical pro-corporate measures, often called “shock therapy”.

Shock tactics follow a clear pattern: wait for a crisis, declare a moment of what is sometimes referred to as “extraordinary politics”, suspend some, or all, democratic norms – and then force the corporate wishlist throughout hastily.

The term Disaster capitalism is described by Naomi Klein in her book The Shock Doctrine (2007) as the way that private industries spring up to directly profit from large-scale crises. Capitalism uses disasters and catastrophes to privatize new sectors of society and imposes free-market reforms, creating private company profits but failing in terms of democracy, fairness, and justice. It hides behind situations that create hardship for people, profiting from the collective shock.

This concept of disaster and crisis profiteering isn’t new. In her book, Naomi argues that it really intensated under the Bush administration after 9/11.

The aftermath of 9/11 left Americans disoriented and in shock. The Bush administration seized the collective shock and fear felt by Americans after the attack and declared this sort of never-ending security crisis, privatizing security state, launching the ‘War on Terror’, and enabling the “Patriot Act” which violated many constitutional rights.

Homeland security is now a $200 billion industry.

Homeland security companies gained a lot thanks to the atmosphere of crisis and fear that was being spread through media outlets.

(The patriot Act is a Anti-terrorism law, passed by the United States Congress and signed by George W. Bush on October 26, 2001. The purpose of the USA Patriot Act is to deter and punish terrorist acts in the United States and around the world It gives the government rights to look at records on an individual’s activity held by third parties, allows security services to access computer data held by individuals and businesses without prior authorization and without notifying users.)

Now you might wonder, how does that apply to the

so called ‘refugee crisis’ ?

Refugee flow is a thematic that has already gained worldwide attention. In 2015, Greece was the main entry point for over one million refugees, forced migrants and migrants who fled to Europe by sea.

1,000,573 people reached Europe across the Mediterranean, mainly to Greece and Italy that year. A further 34,000 crossed from Turkey into Bulgaria and Greece by land, according to the UNCHR The number of people displaced by war and conflict was in 2015 the highest seen in Western and Central Europe since the Balkan crises of the 1990s. (UNHCR) This period is known as the ‘European migrant crisis’, aka the so called ‘refugee crisis’.

And much like any other “disaster,” the crisis has been and is continuously exploited for political and economic purposes, it is the perfect excuse for governments to push through radical agendas, as we have seen unraveling over the past few years.

Policy makers within Europe have used the“ refugee crisis” to push for more restrictive, selective, and securitised immigration law and border control.

Then, the pandemic happened. And for governments, it was the perfect opportunity to push through even more radical agendas. Another ‘disaster’.

Earlier this year, for instance, the Eu started experimenting with new digital measure to prevent people from crossing, with the Greek border police firing bursts of deafening noise from an armored truck over the frontier into Turkey. Using “sound cannon,” to protect its borders. This was part of new experimental digital barriers that were being tested during the quiet months of the coronavirus pandemic and installed while Europe was still dealing with disorientation and shock in the middle of a pandemic.

During the pandemic, EU member states have used illegal operations to push back at least 40,000 asylum seekers from Europe’s borders. Their methods have been linked to the death of more than 2,000 people, an article from The Guardian revealed the following investigations. Using the pandemic to both push through their agendas and ‘protect’ the borders.

Meanwhile, private companies have secured and made profits through providing technology and infrastructure to help strengthen border enforcement, but also through providing services that have helped different countries to house, feed, detain and also deport arriving people, making ‘illegal’ border crossing their core business idea: Private security companies, defense contractors and others. Capitalising on crisis.

Berkshire connected

News & Sports

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HOW DIFFICULT IS IT FOR REFUGEES AND ASYLUM SEEKERS IN THE UK TO OBTAIN AN EDUCATION? By Cleo Hanson According to the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child and the 1951 Refugee Convention, education is considered a basic human right (UNHCR). However, many refugees and asylum seekers in the UK face multiple barriers to accessing education. A proper education can help people find jobs, make money to support themselves and rebuild their lives, and protects young refugees from sexual exploitation and child labour.

Financial difficulties play a major role in preventing refugees from accessing education.

Asylum seekers cannot claim benefits, nor do they have the right to work in the UK and are forced to subsist on £5.66 a day if they have no source of income (Refugee Action). This can prevent families from affording transport for their children to get to and from school.

Young asylum seekers looking to attend higher education may find that it is harder for them to study than their peers who are UK nationals. Students seeking refuge are categorised as international students and therefore must pay

higher fees and often cannot apply for student loans (UNHCR). The fact that asylum seekers do not have the right to work means they cannot get a job to afford the fees and the living costs.

Furthermore, the ability to speak English is vital for finding work, making connections, and doing basic everyday tasks in the UK. However, according to a report by Refugee Action, nearly two thirds of refugees who responded claimed that they did not receive enough ESOL teaching hours. In addition, three quarters of parents said that lack of childcare prevented their ability to attend English classes.

As a result, two out of every three respondents said their lack of English proficiency made them feel as though they were not ready to work in the UK. There is also a large gender disparity between the education of refugee men versus women. Men who seek refuge in the UK are more likely than women to know how to read and write (LSE). In addition, they were more likely to attend ESOL classes.

The fact that women are usually

the primary caregivers of children may affect their attendance of ESOL lessons.

A lack of financial stability can dramatically reduce a person’s ability to receive a good education, and due to UK government policy, asylum seekers often struggle to support themselves and their families.

Allowing asylum seekers the right to work and giving them better financial support could mean improved access to education for themselves and their children.

Moreover, not enough is being done to ensure that refugees are learning English, which is essential for living, working, and studying in this country. A quality education can help improve life chances for both children and adults alike and more needs to be done to make it accessible.

Alliance for Cohesion & Racial Equality (ACRE) info@acre-reading.org 0118 951 0279

www.kutambua.com/current info@kutambua.com

0745 830 4611 0730 509 9368

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LIFE IN A REFUGEE CAMP, AN INTERVIEW WITH FABRICE, RESIDENT OF MORIA 2.0 IN LESVOS, GREECE By Ophelie Lawson On September last year, after fire ravaged the old refugee camp Moria, Europe’s largest refugee camp, located on the Greek island of Lesvos, a new temporary camp was built: the temporary reception and identification centre known as Mavrovouni, or Moria 2.0.

It has been 7 months now since the opening of that camp, and what was supposed to be a temporary solution is slowly becoming a permanent one.

I spoke with Fabrice, who I met on the island of Lesvos back in 2019, and who’s been living in the new camp since it was built, and also a former resident of the old Moria camp.

Fabrice came to Europe asking for asylum in February 2019, fleeing persecution in his country of origin, hoping for safety. Instead, he has had two rejections to his asylum claim and has been trapped on the island, living in the worst conditions of a refugee camp, for over 2 years now.

Fabrice, you have been in Lesvos for almost two years now and you have been living in the new Moria camp since September of last year, have the conditions of the camp improved since September or since the European commissioner, Ylva Johansson went to Lesvos and promised better conditions?

Yes, it’s been two years now that I have been on the island, the old camp was harder than living in hell, the life of every person could end in any seconds there. There was crime, violence, rape, theft, fire, no decent sanitary or hygienic conditions, static situations on administrative procedures. It was like in a jungle, everyone made his own laws as they heard it. All of this was happening right in front of the eyes of the Greek authorities who were incompetent and incapable of solving our problems.

Because there was a constant flow of new people, I don’t know if when they see us piling up and dying it did them good, until the camp was set on fire.

For the new camp, things started better. Now things seem to be a bit more neglected. When she [The European commissioner] came to visit us, we didn’t even have time to approach her. The locals of the island did, they had opportunities to yell at her and ask her how much longer asylum seekers would be kept on the island until they are assessed and evacuated to the continent.

For us asylum seekers who were supposed to have a chance to talk to her, unfortunately, we were not given such an opportunity. She was only shown the important places of the camp through a guided tour. She did not even have time to talk with women, young people and community leaders for them to explain some of our daily difficulties.

Her visit did not improve anything for us, the administrative procedures continued in the same slow pace, complicated accommodation conditions, hygienic and sanitary situation always the same.

In fact, after this, single women and families who were housed in containers with few conditions to cope with, for instance, bad weather, were relocated in tents made of weak fabric.

The money that the EU had spent is much more for the infrastructure of their country, asylum seekers are not beneficiaries, our situation continues just the same and is getting worst. Convoys and transfers to take people out of the camp and to the mainland are not happening as often.

Now if you are done with the asylum procedures you have to organise your departure from the island by your own means, you have to buy a plane ticket or a boat ticket to go elsewhere, that’s the reality.

How is life in the new camp? Is there a lot of change in daily life and routine from the beginning?

Life in the new camp is still as always: stressful, everything can change overnight, the security situation is still starting to worry us little by little, there is insecurity that is starting to gain ground, there have already been a few cases of rape, thefts and assaults, people stealing phones. Electricity in the camp is still very unstable, the food is not well cooked. Women and children exposed to very unsanitary conditions and likely to contract all kinds of germs and infections. Continuous negative decisions, wave of rejections to asylum claims in all communities.

NGOs have reported the presence of lead exposure in the area, which is expected to impact and put in danger several people but no one is talking about it, so the situation is deteriorating slowly, in silence. No one is paying attention.

Read more: rb.gy/yqjd2t

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News & Sports

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WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GREECE FOR ASYLUM SEEKERS? AND WHY IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT IT? By Ophelie Lawson At the border of Europe are refugee camps that are not being talked about enough. Refugee flow is a thematic that has gained worldwide attention, as it should. It is sometimes hard to believe, especially out of context, that human beings amid the 21st century are still forced to leave their countries because of war, crime, violence, persecution, colonisation, and climate change. Displacement has been happening for as long as we can remember. And the fact that refugees are being neglected and their human rights constantly grossly violated in crowded camps is something we have heard so often that we have come to think of it as normal.

Because of the Eastern Mediterranean migration route between Turkey and Greece, Greece is currently hosting the largest refugee camps in Europe, as it is a point of entry. In 2015, it was the main entry point for over one million refugees and migrants who fled to Europe by sea, seeking safety dangerously in inadequate vessels run by people smugglers. (UNHCR) Moria Camp 2.0 is currently known as being the largest one. It is located on a Greek Island in the Aegean sea called Lesvos, about 11 hours from Athens by boat. Officially, the camp is called Mavrovouni Temporary Reception and identification centre, but is formally being referred to as Moria 2.0. It was built to replace the original camp Moria which burst into fires in early September 2020.

20000 people were trapped in the old camp and displaced after the fire. Many people were deported to other countries, moved to villages and cities on the island and or to Athens.

The new camp hosts 6,780 people. But over 9000 refugees and asylum seekers still reside on the island of Lesvos.

The majority of the refugee population on the island (the expression “refugee population” includes both refugees and asylum seekers) comes from Afghanistan (70%), the Democratic Republic of Congo (10%) Syria (7%), Somalia (6%) and Iraq (1%).

Women account for 23% of the population and children 35% according to the UNHCR. Asylum seekers generally have to wait for a protracted period of time in the reception and identification centre (refugee camp) before they are granted refugee status. Some people have been waiting for months or years. However, only a small number of asylum seekers are provided with a solution to their situation, whether through having a refugee status or being able to go back to their country. Many are stuck inside refugee camps and facing the worst living conditions for an extended period of time.

What is heartbreaking is that the conditions of those camps are not safe especially for single women. And people who are stuck within those camps have come to Europe for no other reason than to seek safety. Safety is not only the comfort of having a stable home or a roof over your head, food on your plate every day, or an income, which all of them are deprived of, it is also

freedom from harm or danger, the state of being safe: a safe place. The state of safety also depends on how welcomed in a community you are. How safe are you within that community, how accepted, how integrated?

Europe is failing refugees and refugee camps are a symbol of Europe’s failed migration policies. Many ngos and human rights activists are constantly denouncing the living conditions within those camps.

The reason why asylum seekers are accommodated in camps for an extended period of time seems to stem from the understanding of European governments that the situatiıon of refugee camps should be temporary. This state of impermanence is what the host country wants the situation to be. However, the reality is different. Inside Moria camp, in Lesvos, I have met and interviewed people that were there for years. Asylum seekers are not reaching safety while they enter Europe. On the contrary.

Greek refugee camps at the borders allow the authorities and Europe to ‘maintain’ more control over refugees as they are all in one place and over the flow of refugees entering Europe through that route. But it is denying them of their humanity, keeping them in terrible inhuman conditions in the name of national and international security.

The nature of refugee migration is forced, as they cannot go back to their countries as governments themself are declaring war, persecuting them, and are not ready and willing to protect them or accommodate their identities.

I believe the international community should pay close attention to the political decisions that are being made in Europe about refugee camps, and also the way that people seeking safety are forced to live. That neglect which the refugee population is facing is occurring because of political unwillingness, global indifference, and the personal interests of European governments. And it is justifying the daily gross violation of the human rights of thousands of people seeking safety.

Read more: tinyurl.com/5d7k5j8m

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VIOLENCE SURROUNDING BLACK WOMEN & THE TRAUMA WE FACE.

By Kairel McLeary-Barnes

Domestic Abuse- Violent or aggressive behaviour within the home, typically involving the violent abuse of a spouse or a partner.

Each year nearly 1.3 million women suffer at the hands of their loved ones in the home. During the pandemic this number increased….

Domestic abuse is such a sad phenomenon far too many Women experience, Black Women’s cries for help in the UK, go continuously unheard. We are misrepresented.

And it’s a problem. Why? You may ask, well it all goes back to institutionalized racism and intra-racial relationships involving the Black Community. When it comes to Black Women the problems and mistreatment we face, is always dismissed. We are always gaslighted. 45.1 % of Black Women have experienced intimate partner physical violence, intimate partner sexual violence and or intimate partner stalking in their lifetimes.

Even though there isn’t enough evidence in stating Black Women are abused more than their white Counterparts, we are more likely to go unreported or have our pleas for help go unreceived. Black Women are more than likely to suffer more severe, more complex forms of abuse for longer.

38.1 % of Black Women have experienced one or more of the following: intimate partner violence- related impacts: Being fearful, concerned for safety, any post traumatic stress disorder, symptoms of injury, need for medical care housing services, victim advocate services, and for or legal services missed out at least one day of work or schooling and contacting crisis hotline. 53.8% of Black Women have experienced psychological aggression by an intimate partner in their lifetimes.

Intersectionality- The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.

This Term was coined by Kimberele Willaims, a Lawyer who continues to challenge and change Intersectionality and what it means for Black Women especially. I.E, A Black Gay Man, has a completely different experience to a White Gay Women. Black Women have a totally different experience than Black Men and Non Black Women all together.

Black Women additionally experience sexism and misogyny, and Racial discrimination (And the Backlash they will recieve if they do get a ‘Brother’ Locked up) which may result in them not asking for help. Also, take into consideration the

fact we are rarely ever seen, defended or heard when it comes to anything pertaining to us.

‘An intersectional analysis has been fundamental in the works to end violence against Black and ‘minority ethnic’ women and girls. Intersectionality has provided the most useful framework for ‘capturing’ and understanding our individual and collective experiences. It has also been important as a mechanism to ensure that our activities are always located in a broader struggle for social justice.

For example, our commitment to ‘by and for’ dedicated, specialist Black and ‘minority ethnic’ women’s organisations is rooted in an understanding that as minoritised women and girls experiencing multiple, intersecting inequalities, we have the right to organise and resist in ways that are defined by us, for us and with us.’ (The Combahee River Collective, 1977) When White Women were fighting for their right to be heard, to be equal to men as much as they could, to be able to vote, to work. Black Women were in support- given our issues with the feminist movement were overlooked aswell, we stood by and defended and fought that cause. When Black Men are thrown a way to rot in a cell- given years upon years for crimes they didn’t even commit, for crimes their White Male counterparts would’ve gotten lesser years for. We as Black Women continue to fight. When Black Men were and still are being continuously hunted, their lives taken by authority figures, and gang violence, we as Black Women continue to fight, for justice for all the Black Men being slain.

Why when it comes to Black Women, and our pleas, our cries and our right to want to be heard, in wanting to live.

No one seems to care? How many Black Women does it have to take for the World to take us seriously? We cry, cut and bleed just as much as anyone else does, yet when we’re being abused, it seems our pain doesn’t matter. How many BME organisations does it take? How many lectures do we need to attend for people to realise Black Women’s Lives Matter. And domestic abuse is a serious case that continues to take the lives of Women every day.

As a Black Woman I’ll continue to continue to fight for Black Women to be seen, for us to take up space as much as possible, so they know we will not be ignored. For us to continue shining , for us to continue Living. As we deserve that right.

For Black Women in the UK who are in need of help: SistahSpace: 0207 846 350. Refugee’s National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 free, independent and confidential 24/7 Supportline: 08 08 16 89 111.

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Community

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Utulivu Women’s Honoured for An Afternoon With Royals at the Ascot Racecourse together with Other Change Makers Especially During The Covid-19 Pandemic. By Eva Karanja.

Sun was shining, the air was warm, at the most iconic venue, Ascot racecourse what a day to celebrate volunteers across Berkshire! Berkshire Community Foundation hosted volunteers Tea to recognise and celebrate the valuable work of Charities across the County. Celebrate the County’s Amazing volunteers and their incredible contributions in the last year.

The His Royal Highness The Earl of Wessex, graced the occasion in appreciation of the work volunteers do.

Thank you so much Berkshire Community Foundation, Utulivu Women’s group for giving our volunteers Josephine and Eva this amazing opportunity. We had a wonderful day, felt very special and had amazing tea and cake on 6th Sept 2021. Live Long Utulivu.

THE JOURNEY OF LIFE By Annice Thomas.

The journey of life takes on multiple directions The roads we take can take us to various projections The friends we make along the way Some leave, some remain Some are here to stay The journey can be a lonely place At times we slow down At times we race Life’s obstacles encountered can make us freak They can rip us apart and cause us to shriek But with time and healing our attitudes change Our perspectives take on a different range We carefully choose the battles that we fight We step out of the darkness And stand firm in the light There is no satnav for the journey of life Our journey can strengthen or bring us strife Choose today which it will be Our attitudes hold the key to set us free

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BISHOP ELECT-MARGARET JEPTUI TANUI EMPOWERING LIFE’S JOURNEY development and sustainable Livelihoods. While in UK Bishop Elect has worked in the Healthcare sector.

Statement of faith and Ministry In August 1978 while in her 1st year in form one in Kapropita girls Bishop Elect gave her life to Jesus Christ as Lord and savior. Salvation has exposed her to a greater experience of overwhelming Joy and peace in her journey of her Christian faith. She believes in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.

Bishop Elect-Margaret Jeptui Tanui was born in Baringo county, Eldama Ravine , Saos Kibias sublocation , in Kenya 58 years ago to a family of Paulo Samoei and Evelyn Teriki Tanui as the first born of Ten (10) siblings. She grew and was raised up under the faith of a Christian mother who taught her children the word of God and enable them survive the harsh living conditions of poverty, traditions and customs and empowered them to the level of attaining good Education and having attained a life of freedom and independence.

Family Life Bishop Elect was once Married but unfortunately the marriage encountered turbulences and irreconcilable challenges . The marriage was blessed with three (3) wonderful lovely children, Billy kiprop , Melody Jemutai and Kevin Kipchumba who are now grown ups and two(2) grandchildren. As a Christian and mother Bishop Elect choose to take care of her children and serve God with all her heart turning the new challenge into an opportunity to improve her career and to realize the calling of God in her life Education and career She attended Saos Primary, Kapropita girls Secondary, Egerton University, Larenstein University Netherlands and Reading University UK. Earlier in her career and profession after graduating from Egerton university in 1986, she joined the Government of Kenya as a civil servant and became a senior Livestock production officer before moving to UK after securing a scholarship to Reading University for master’s programme in social

No matter the challenges she has faced in her life which are so many, she has grown in her faith and known God deeper as a Father, a shepherd, a teacher , a comforter, healer, restorer and, forgiver of sins amongst all of his attributes.

Bishop Elect has served God in many levels of her spiritual growth in the Church. While in Kenya she became a Sunday school teacher from the age of 18years in her local church. While in Nairobi in 1986 under African in Land Church. She joined Ngong Chrisco Church, a fivefold ministry under then Apostle Harry Das. Joining this church made her grow both in word and leadership from being a Sunday school teacher to becoming youth leader, Church Elder, Church treasurer, Women Leader and later a deaconess. Bishop Elect enjoyed these positions tremendously giving her exposure in training, networking and opportunities to preach God’s word in the church and other forums invited.

She begun to slowly identify her calling and purpose and she kept nurturing and allowing mentees to mentor her. She engaged herself in intercessory Ministry, preaching and evangelism that transformed lives including members of her family. Her father who was alcoholic for 52 years gave his life to Christ and now serves as a church Elder in his local Church of Saos Anglican Church. In 1994 for example she organized a massive crusade in her home town that attracted over 2000 people in 1994. A crusade that left a mark to this day and many people gave their lives to Christ.

While in UK, Bishop Elect flourished in her ministry and was evident in that she volunteered to serve the community of Kenyans and other Black minority.

She organizes prayer meetings tailor-made to meet the needs of individuals and Nations. She visits and prays for families in need amongst other community engagements.

w

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w v She served in the church (Reading Evangelical Christian Church International) under Bishop Dr.Julius & Apostle Dr.Joyce Muiruri, through various ministries. As a result of her commitment and dedication, she was elevated to serve as an elder between 2005 and 2012 and she did well.

Sometimes in 2011 the Lord spoke to Bishop Jackson Kosgei who is Bishop Elect’s spiritual Father, to encourage her start a Ministry after seeing great potential in her. Bishop Elect took the challenge seriously and she founded Valley of praise Ministries International (Beracah) with its presences both in UK & Kenya. Bishop Elect was ordained on the 3rd of November 2012 as a Reverend /Pastor. Through her ministry she has proven to be a bold leader, our community recognizable, highly charismatic and accomplished public speaker and preacher of God’s word. Through her commitment, plenty of testimonies of family restorations, emotional healing and hope are shared amongst community people out there.

The objectives and Aims of Valley of praise are to preach Gods word through teaching, prayers and intercession, winning souls for Jesus, Transforming lives and making disciples of all Nations and race. It aims to grow as a Ministry worldwide and see Gods word reach everyone according to Jesus’ Mission statement in Mathew 28:1819 “ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen”. Its Monthly prayer meetings and conferences Bishop Elect has served the Reading community with dedication and love and proven to have the following qualities; Philanthropist , selfless, transparent, Kind, humble, Wise , loving, honest, holy and fear of God, Servant Leader willing to sacrifice all , Willing to make tough choices at all times and Patient with long suffering. She is also a counselor, advocate for women against domestic violence, a mentor, community mobilizer and an intercessor.

Bishop Elect played a major role during this time of Covid 19. With other leaders in the Reading community, she participated in sharing, distributing food to vulnerable families. She also supported families who lost their loved ones by visiting, phone calls and virtually through zoom Through Valley of Praise Bishop Elect has been able to Educate needy children in her village, build descent homes for vulnerable homeless people , support Pastors in rural villages physically and financially, provide food staff to families in need.

Bishop Elect is also one of the founding members of a charitable organization called EMO, a social organization

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whose strategic objectives is to assist people in distress in order to alleviate their suffering and enable them enjoy dignified lives through capacity development, advocacy for social justice, assisting needy patients requiring urgent medical attention and advocate for conservation of the environment among others.

On 13th March 2021 she was presented with a well deserving Award , The 16th Wise women in the Community award from Wisdom for Women International in London UK. This Award was given to her to honor and recognize her tireless contributions to the Church, humanity and community.

To sum it up Bishop Elect can be described as a confident and highly motivated individual who derives satisfaction through hard work and creative thinking. She is multilayered in her roles and always seen to multitask. Very resourceful and rich with wisdom, knowledge and information which she shares generously to everyone without discrimination.

She is able to influence and motivate others through role modeling. Through effective communication skills, she has been able to enhance work performance, always encouraging a high standard of service while earning respect. She is quick to learn, open, adaptable and flexible to changes. She works well with people at all levels, countries and I have tremendous will-power to achieve results through good management and organizational skills.

The elevation to the office of Bishop will enable her with the help of Christ to govern, teach, and sanctify the Body of Christ. Will help her expand Gods Kingdom through confirming, ordaining and supervise members of the clergy for Valley of Praise Ministries International UK and beyond.

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Embracing Your Life’s Mission By Rev. Dr Joyce Muiruri Rev. Dr Joyce Muiruri came to faith in Jesus at an early age after being a secret admirer of her mother’s faith in God. Joyce has been in the ministry for over 40 years. She has devoted her life to carry a message of hope and well known as a Deliverance minister, Prophet, Teacher, Motivational speaker, and a great lover of Family wellbeing. Rev. Dr. Joyce is passionately committed to seeing Families live free, happy, and enjoying life in abundance as God ordained it to be. This is what Rev, Dr Joyce Muiruri had to say.

I realised quiet early in my growing up that my mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with passion. To succeed in my mission, I needed to be single-mindedly devoted to my goal. Throughout my growing up and through the education journey I had only one agenda-- my education and my God. I had no other interest with the many things young people engage in. My peers in my village thought I was very proud. One day they planned to attack me on my way from school but thank God for the Holy spirit who led me through another root. I only came to know this the following day in school.

Early in life I realised I had a passion to care about people’s wellbeing. It touched me to see people even my fellow pupils sad. I went out of my way to listen to their stories and give the little support I could. I did this in my childhood, adulthood and now in my married life all because it bothers me to see people struggle but little did I know God was all they training and preparing me for a greater assignment. Although it was not easy, God gave me inner motivation and joy to do so.

This is the joy of following your passion—that sense of fulfilment gives purpose in life as it is the case for me.

This laid a foundation of what God was calling me to do. First as a teacher, a professional counsellor, and a Pastor. Today I thank God for bringing me to this point where I have fully understood my mission on this earth.

Passion indeed ignites the fire within and helps you to accelerate to new heights. Furthermore, reaching out for the stars and the ability to affect positive change in the world around you will truly fulfil you.

Have you understood your mission in life? What is it that makes you sad and you feel you want to do something about it? Could it be God is calling you and preparing you for your life assignment?

May the lord reveal to you His purpose for your life May this revelation come to you before the night comes?

The most difficult thing to learn in life is to accept the challenges of life and to realise that those trials are milestones to our life’s mission. Life is full of ups and downs and as soon as one thing is over another one shows up.

It is important to find Joy in the present and count our life’s experiences as a learning curves to be treasured.

I realised that my life experiences have something valuable to share—knowledge gained through the years may be influential event in my life that I believe can help other people hence my new book—My Promise Keeper; Life Story.

No matter what that story is, you can, and you should tell it. Many people’s destinies are tied to your obedience to your life assignment. So, know and follow your mission on this planet earth. Through my life’s mission, I have recently published my book on my Life’s Story and on 25th Sept, I will be consecrated to become a Bishop.

FOLLOW YOUR PASSION FRIENDS.

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14 Community

NIGHT OWL: THE BEGINNING By Lynette Wairegi THE BEGINNING On a planet we call earth is another planet, thousands of miles away. For us it is a tiny, grey speck. But for them, it is their home. If you look down from the planet you will see it. Here is the place we are looking at. On a small, abandoned island, there was a town. The town was called Luka Luka. This is an island with a hood of nature. The trees stood tall and proud guarding the island. Their small, cottagelike huts were sitting on the ground. Small children were running like headless chickens around the town while the grown-ups worked hard to keep the town running. They had no king, no queen but they had a mayor. The jolliest mayor on the island.

You will meet him later but let me introduce you to Coral.

Coral Kaki is the daughter of Mrs Kaki and Mr Kaki.

Currently, Mrs Kaki (Delphine) is in the house washing up. She cannot go to work because she is pregnant.

She is the only person in the house for now. Coral is now in Luka primary school. We cannot bother her.

Mr Kaki (vai) is working on the beach making boats. So, everyone on the island has a role.

Men: They build houses, boats, tools, and all the everyday tools we need.

Woman: They do the cooking, collect food, knitting or making clothes.

Mayor: He runs the island making sure everything is in order, so the island does not have arguments.

Children: The children go to school every single day and come back home at 3:30.

Chapter 2: The Competition When Coral got home, she told her parents about her day.

When she and her friend were walking back home from school, they saw a letter. It was as colourful as a rainbow.

In bold, it said “Art Competition!”. Coral absolutely loves art. Painting, drawing, silhouette, sketching anything about art she loves. At the back it had some information about the art competition. It said The Art Competition takes place at Luka’s church hall at June the 7th. If you want to compete, the sign-up sheet is around the whole town. The judges are Professor

quiltatch, David Monerossor and professional artist of Luka Luka Town, Rose sandriser. When you arrive, follow the arrows saying, “Art Competition this way”.

When you follow all the arrows, you should arrive in a big hall. The way the competition works, is that you have 10 minutes to create a piece of art against the other artists. When the 10 minutes are over, you must explain your masterpiece and why you drew it.

The winner takes home a big trophy. Good Luck and I cannot wait to see you at the competition.

Coral gave her Mum the leaflet. Her mum looked at her dad and her dad looked back. Coral knew she had to convince them to let her go to the art competition tomorrow. So, she said (in a pleasing voice). “I really, really, really want to go mum, this is my chance to show everyone in Luka Luka that I am a really good artist.”

“Please let me go, all my friends are going.”

Her Mum said in a soft voice: “Sorry honey, the baby is due tomorrow, and you know we can’t afford a babysitter. I am so sorry honey. Maybe another opportunity of doing art in front of your friends will come but tomorrow no.”

Coral’s heart broke in half. She stormed out of the room. This was her only chance and there will be no other chance again. She always thought to herself she is an amazing artist that when she paints it is like magic. But maybe her mum does not want her to go because she might make a fool of herself. She also thinks why my mum not let me go to different events. Is she scared for her? No…. Well, she had a plan, to go to the art competition by herself. She checked the time of the art competition. Luckily, you can go there at dawn to practise (5:00). But the Luka Luka church is very far.

So, the only option is walking because her mum has not got the money for a taxi or a bus.

Chapter 3: The Special Place?

At dawn, she set of to the art competition. She wore a blue straight drees and cute sandals. She also wore a summer hat with a ribbon (pink). Her hair was down; she curled it by herself. She carried a white backpack which had: Food | Water | Colouring book | Drawing book | Pencil case | First aid kit (just in case) | Magic Memory (her favourite book) | A coat/ jumper | Her camera (not in backpack, just around her neck) | And her phone.

The winter white bag had a white wolf on it. Coral felt confident. She looked at her watch and it was 05:10.

She thought since she had enough time, she would the more scenic route. She went on the grey solid footpath. The Fazed footpath had beautiful flowers on the side. Coral took some photos. Everything was going well so far.

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15

BLACK PEOPLE DIDN’T LOSE THE EUROS, ENGLAND DID

By Rosie Vacciana-Browne

For the first time in 55 years, England’s football team had made it to a major tournament final. The energy across the nation was electric. The England squad was young, diverse, and talented it felt like a true representation of the country. A team we could all get behind; until we lost.

For many people of colour, the George cross is a symbolism of hate. Extremist right-wing groups have long appropriated the flag, supposed to represent us all, to represent racism and white supremacy.

From knee-high, we are made aware that areas and pubs flying the flag are not for us. That we should be on guard, hypervigilant, and ready to leave at any moment should we be confronted. I had believed that maybe, just maybe, that was all about to change with the Euro 2020s.

“A team we could all get behind; until we lost.”

Raheem Sterling, who has spent most of his career at the mercy of the right-wing press and racist abuse, carried the England team throughout the start of the tournament scoring the first three goals and seeing us off to the quarter-finals. It seemed like the tides were changing; the country was proud of Sterling. Saka quickly became a fan favourite, labelled man of the match in his first appearance. People were getting behind an England team that had black players as its stars.

The unity was empowering, it was hopeful, it was joyous.

For the first time, many people of colour embraced the George cross; we wrapped it around ourselves in pride.

It didn’t represent racists. It represented Sterling, Saka, Kane, Maguire, Walker, Grealish, and the diverse face of the country. Many of the England teams players are first and second-generation migrants from Ireland, the Caribbean, and beyond. After the divisions of last year, it finally appeared that England could come together under the same flag and rejoice in its diversity. But the waters of racism doth run so deep through the heart of England, it took just one penalty shoot out for the poison to resurface.

“the waters of racism doth run so deep through the heart of England” It was 1-1 between Italy and England after extra time.

The dreaded penalties were next. We were facing a team that had won 33 consecutive games. The odds were not in our favour, but that didn’t matter. For some England fans, the only thing they saw was the race of the three England players, Rashford, Sancho, and Saka, who missed their goals. Before anyone could react, people of colour up and down the country already knew the response. We’d been here before. For Black people in Britain, we are only as good as what we can offer. We aren’t individuals, we are commodities. The second the goals were missed it wasn’t England who had lost, it was the three black lads.

Social media became instantly ablaze with foul racist rhetoric and memes. The FA, England, the Prime Minister, the press, and many former players had to come to the defence of Rashford, Sancho, and Saka. In an attempt to educate and calm the vitriol spewing from the mouths of adults who were unable to process a football game.

It shouldn’t be this way. But the stage has already been set for racists to flourish in England. One politician who ironically came forward to defend the team was Priti Patel.

Patel has been at the forefront of strict anti-immigration legislation and persistently targeted black and brown people here in the UK. At the start of the games, she emboldened English hooligans who wanted to boo the players for taking the knee in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. It was those same hooligans she then condemned in her own “gesture politics”. “black people will always be one penalty miss away from racist abuse and degradation.”

The events of the last 24-hrs have been heartbreaking for all across the country. But it has been earth-shattering for none more than minorities who have once again been reminded that we are not part of this team. Until England can dismantle racism from the heart of its institutions and ideologies, black people will always be one penalty miss away from racist abuse and degradation.

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YOUNG BRITS TAKING ON THE OLYMPICS By Rosie Vacciana-Browne The year 2020 was full of adversity, polarisation and isolation. But, in Tokyo 2020, diversity, unity and community reign supreme.

Team GB have been breaking records, holding titles and amassing medals since the games began just 11days ago. As back home, we’ve watched on in anticipation and excitement our athletes have been braving the world stage in the teams custom Adidas kit.

The new fits design represents the unity in diversity, a nod to the UK’s separatism in years past from Brexit to BLM, in hopes these games can once again unite our fractured nation. And, unite they have.

Countrywide our team is being celebrated and flying the flag at the forefront of some of our most memorable wins so far are young black Brits.

Nottingham native Emily Campbell has become the first British woman ever to win a weightlifting medal at the Olympics and brings home the first Olympic weightlifting medal since 1984! Before scoring a silver medal, Campbell had previously been working with young people in care something she hopes to return to at some point.

Dubbed the Prince of Peckham BMX biker Kye Whyte, 21, soared across the finish line in 2nd place at the Men’s BMX racing finals just 0.114 seconds behind Netherlands winner Niek Kimman.

Whyte’s silver medal is history-making as it marks Great Britain’s first medal in the sport! Kye’s win has changed the global face of BMX’ing but, his dad, Nigel Whyte, has been making an impact at home for years.

The co-founder of Peckham BMX Club, Nigel aims to help young people off the streets and away from crime into sports.

Chelsie Giles won Team GB their first medal at the games scoring bronze in the women’s -52kg Judo.

Tokyo 2020 is Giles’ first Olympics but, the 24-yearold from Coventry has been doing Judo since she was 8-years-old making her senior international debut in 2017.

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GRENFELL, FOUR YEARS ON By Rosie Vacciana-Browne It is one of the biggest tragedies of our time. A social injustice birthed from the very heart of Britain’s institutions. There have been public inquiries and protests but no arrests. Why four years on are we still left asking, where is the justice for Grenfell?

On June 14th 2017, the nation woke up to the shocking news that the 24-storey Grenfell Tower block in West London was ablaze. The fire started around 1 am on the fourth floor, but as daylight broke, thick smoke was billowing up into the sky, and flames were visible from windows up to the top floor. The harrowing images etched into our memories likened to that of 9/11. It was clear that anyone who remained within the building would not have survived. But, the first reports were murky, the cause of the fire was unknown, and the death toll widely underreported. In the weeks and months that followed, what uncovered was an amalgamation of government failures at the local and national level.

The Grenfell Tower block stood in The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, looking over the wealthiest area in the UK where the average yearly salary is £65,000. It is home to the country’s rich and famous; it was also home to refugees, migrants and low-income households publically housed in Grenfell under the care of a Conservative-led council. The building had recently had a refurbishment just two years prior by The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. In a bid to save £300,000, they swapped the planned zinc cladding with cheaper aluminium, a decision that cost 72 lives and destroyed hundreds more. A public inquiry has since found the cladding was the primary cause of the fire spreading. The council apologised for putting profits before people. But profits before people is what the Conservative party do.

In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the disparities became clear. More than just a tragic accident, Grenfell was a result of xenophobia and classism that seeps through Britain’s infrastructure. Within 24hrs of the news breaking, the local community, charities, religious groups and leader of the Labour opposition, Jeremy

Corbyn, all flocked to the scene to support residents on the ground. While, in a picture all too familiar, the former Prime Minister Theresa May spent her first visit having private meetings with emergency service workers. She met no residents. It was yet another example of out of touch politics by the Conservative party, who since 2010 have implemented harsh austerity cuts that have disproportionately hit the working classes and minorities. The genetic makeup of Grenfell.

You could wonder if a private housing block with wealthy, white residents would have safety corners cut to save money. The local government was working off a script crafted by our national Tory government, who have shown us time & again that black, brown and poor lives do not matter. Residents had tried to raise safety concerns around Grenfell. Just 7-months before the fire, a post posted on a community blog suggested the company running the building and the local council covered up residents’ concerns. It went on to state, “a serious fire in a tower block or similar high-density residential property is the most likely reason that those who wield power at the KCTMO will be found out and brought to justice.” Unfortunately, not even that was enough. Four years on, it seems there have been no tangible lessons learned; and no justice gained. There have been no convictions, 700,000 buildings still have cladding similar to Grenfell’s, and as of February 2021, 7 families were still not rehoused in permanent housing.

These are government failings.

One general election and a new Prime Minister later, the Tory’s are still regurgitating policies that oppress marginalised communities. They treated the Black Lives Matter protests with contempt, labelling protesters “thugs” and the protests “dreadful”. They have purposefully created a hostile environment for immigrants and wrongly deported elderly citizens during the Windrush scandal (something they have since apologised for). The divisions in this country are being exasperated by the Tory’s. Hate crimes have surged, with the number of incidences rising by 4000 from 2019-2020. This year we have seen the introduction of the new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill that’ll crackdown on protests in direct response to BLM. It has been accused of institutional racism as it targets the Roma, Gypsy and Traveller communities, and its new policies will disproportionately affect black and brown people.

Grenfell shows us the horrific results of disregarding the lives of the working classes and minorities. And in the four years that have followed, the Conservative government has continued to show us their lack of care.

If you want to support the victims of Grenfell head to www.grenfellunited.org.uk.

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18 Community

READING GOLDERS: A LUNCHEON CLUB, SERVING THE BME OVER 60S IN READING

By Janet Bockarie

Someone once said, “there is nothing as powerful as an idea whose time has come”.

And so it is with the Reading GOLDERS, a newly emerging Organisation, established to meet the Isolation and Loneliness needs of the over 60s in the BME Community in Reading.

Prior to its formation, the only Luncheon Club for this Group was the one sponsored by the Reading Borough Council as part of its Narrowing the Gap effort of 2016 and hosted at the Globe Building in Portman Road.

Here about 40 persons from 14 different territories in the Caribbean, Africa, and India, met every Tuesday from 12.30pm to 3pm for a hot meal, games, quizzes, talks, storytelling, digital literacy, and company.

One day a week for two and a half hours was not enough time for the level of socialising demanded by this group. They agitated for another day, starting at 10am. They wanted more time and opportunity to tell their stories, even dramatize them, do dressmaking, sewing, knitting, sketching, dance.

They complained about the lack of adequate transport to and from the Venue. Some experiencing memory problems had difficulty crossing the busy roads and spent most of their time sleeping in their seats. They needed to engage in structured activity, away from the crowd, and in the care of trained personnel. All in all for various reasons, the Services provided proved to be inadequate.

The recent Lockdown further highlighted the need for wider befriending experiences and avenues of providing emotional support to more people. Out of this vacuum, Reading Golders was born. Whereas most chat rooms operated for a specific time during the day, the Reading GOLDERS WhatsApp Forum was open and functioning 24x7. Posts went up all day all night. In time we became an intimate on-line Community. One day’s posts can look like a mix of the Tabloid Press and a Broadsheet Newspaper.

As there was no space for the supplying of hot meals, Reading GOLDERS took to organising a weekly Food Parcel Delivery Service, supplying 46 households, 52

adults and 10 children with much needed nourishing food items. 17 volunteers manned this service, some golders, others much younger.

Post Lockdown was a delight! Three trips out, called Picnic/Outings were arranged to ease us gradually out of the restrictions and, hopefully back into face-to-face relationships (photos seen below).

The first two Events were held at Caversham Court Gardens--tremendous success! Being out in the open air, overlooking the River Thames. Many golders, who had lived in Reading for over forty/fifty years said they didn’t know those gardens were there. They loved the fact that adequate transport to and from had been put on for them. Nice, tasty food! A few brought their friends, official visitors, and Speakers from RBC, RCE and Utulivu “Let’s Talk” programme. A concert was held at the first event, second event golders read prose, performed two skits. Had a most enjoyable time.

Now the questions - Why the name GOLDERS? because it is who and what we are. Not the elderly, old people, aged, senior citizen, seniors, aging, older adults. Not any of those negative sounding value terms. We who are over 60 have been tried in the fire of life, and have come out as pure, refined gold. We are the healthiest, wisest, most courageous, ambitious group on Earth. We are good gold - GOLDERS. The new Charity we have formed, in addition to retaining the WhatsApp Forum and Food Parcel Delivery Service, will operate a Luncheon Club in Reading, which will open two days a week. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The last Thursday of the month will be a “Windrush Teas” afternoon, when individuals can have teas, cakes, pastries at a cost. Music from the Motherland, Videos, Films, Speakers, Dance etc could be enjoyed.

Venue: Wesley Methodist Church Hall, 84, Queen’s Road, RG1 4BW Opening Date: Tuesday 26th October 2021.

Contributors: Terri Williams, Sharon Bignall, Constance Gooding.

For more information call: 07724890651.

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PROFILE FOR PANACHE AWARD 2021

By Janet Bockarie

When we talk of women empowerment it’s not just by what we hear, read about but also by what we see on an everyday woman’s life. Our cover girl – Janet Bockarie, is a classic exam-ple of that everyday woman who role models everywhere she puts her feet and hands on.

She is elegant, beautiful and yet the humblest woman you will ever interact with. It’s no wonder she was nominated for the Panache Award earlier in the year – a well-deserved award. Below is what led to Janet’s nomination – very empowering.

Mrs Janet Regina Bockarie has dedicated the last 12 months to combating misinformation about COVID-19, building unique communication skills to teach the public in her own home country- Sierra Leone about Covid-19 prevention approaches, and advocating for Psychoso-cial Frist Aid (PFA) and Infection Prevention Control (IPC) measures to address the pandem-ic.

Janet went to Sierra Leone just before the COVID-19 onset in the UK. On arrival in Sierra Leone, she volunteered to work with the National COVID-19 Emergency Recovery Centre (NaCOVERC) Team based in the capital city. She was allocated to work with one of the Dis-trict COVID-19 Emergency Recovery Centre (DiCOVERC). Although she has been an indi-gen of Bo/ Bonthe District, she opted to extend her volunteering services with the Bo Di-COVERC. She worked with (Number) chiefdoms across the district to aid in Covid-19 IPC and PFA and identifying and training on risk mitigation approaches.

She has also utilized platforms such as social media

with local radio stations and traditional media to share public health prevention messages and translate IPC and PFA into language understandable by the masses.

Her thought-provoking and communication messages on COVID-19 challenged narratives being pushed by the local media that COVID-19 was a white man`s and rich person`s sick who intentionally misled the public about the risk associated with in-person learning during the pandemic. She breaks the barrier of most international volunteers who will choose the ex-tent of their involvement in pandemics. She was one of the most responsive experts for COVID-19 information at the Command Centre.

Since her return to the UK this year, Janet has helped so many zoom meetings with local communities on reflections “in” & “on” COVID-19 pandemic to empower other women from different ethnic backgrounds. She has now started looking into empowering women to start planning for RETIREMENT to combat fears, worries, and concerns. Besides that, Janet con-tinues to fight the case for women and girls especially on FGM, Domestic Abuse and others.

A few words from those who nominated Mrs Janet Regina Bockarie: “Mrs Bockarie may be the most courageous woman I’ve encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic at the BO Discover. She unabashedly challenges misinfor-mation confidently and assertively that doesn’t come out as talking down to peo-ple.”

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20 Arts & Culture

THE SIMPLY GOSPEL SHOW By Sarah Kaironge God willing. I am also a volunteer at Mojatu Foundation in the Human Resource department. Above all, I am a born-again believer.

Am the last born in a family of six siblings. I was privileged to grow up listening to different genres of music such as country, R&B, blues and reggae, and this informs my love for and ability to enjoy the different genres music.

About the show.

The Simply Gospel Show is a prerecorded gospel show which first aired on FMB Radio on Monday 3rd of May 2021. The show plays a mix of different gospel music genres such as hymns, praise & worship, gospel rock, gospel reggae, blue grass/ country gospel, African gospel music and more, with a goal of sharing and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ through the word of God and the music.

About the host of the show Hello! Am your host, Sarah Love.

Currently am a stay-at-home mum of one beautiful, super-energetic, talkative, and curious munchkin, her name is Sasha Blessing Amor.

She’ll be turning 3 in September,

At school, the extra-curricular club activities I enjoyed the most and took part in without hesitation were in public speaking, debate, and drama (play acting). While watching or listening to the presenters of the kids shows I loved, I would really desire to be like them. Unfortunately, because I did not know how to go about it or anyone who could guide me, this never came to pass. But this desire was always deep in my heart even into my adulthood.

As mentioned earlier, I volunteer at Mojatu Foundation, and it was at one of the online staff meetings that it was mentioned that FMB radio was looking for people to do radio jingles or have ideas of what new shows that can be incorporated.

I jumped at the opportunity and said I had an idea for a gospel show,

even though I have no qualification or experience.

After an online interview with the FMB radio station director, Ms. Anna N, I presented my idea and concept. She was reassuring and has been instrumental in helping me shaping the show’s format.

Looking back to look forward Looking back, the first show was on the theme of the holiness of God and so I made a playlist of songs that spoke to this. I can honestly say that I was a nervous wreck! The voice recording was poor because I had the microphone far from me while recording and the script was short because I was unsure of what to say. I did not know the best way on how to introduce a song.

Over time, I have learned how to hold the microphone close, so the voice recordings are clearer and loud enough and also how to write the script the best I know how. It is a learning process every single time really.

In future, the show will host different Christian faith leaders who will both teach on the word of God and discuss topical issues that a believer faces in their day-to-day life.

SUMMARY OF MENTAL HEALTH DISCUSSIONS WITH MY FRIEND By Anna Nagy This limited podcast series at FMB Radio was created specifically for Mental Health Awareness week back in May. Anna, one of our radio presenters gathered some of her friends to discuss how they are coping with life and how their mental state is. In the first episode Marina, Anna’s current university friend talked about her coping routine of listening to ocean’s sounds and how that can help her go through difficult days.

Marina further explained her current situation at the university and the podcasts that she listens to in order to learn more about selfawareness, vulnerability and selfcare. They go on to discuss what

being introverted really means and the importance of figuring out what works the best for you in regards to your individual mental health journey. In the next episode, Nina joined Anna to share what happened to her in the last months and how she could manage to succeed in both academic and professional life while maintaining a health amount of socializing.

She shares that what truly helped her overcoming every obstacle is daily mediation and taking some minutes to be in peace with the moment.

Learning from these two episodes, the creator hopes that people will see how natural it can be to talk about mental health and highlights the importance

of reaching out to your loved ones.

You can listen to these podcasts on FMB’s Anchor page: anchor.fm/ fmb-radio

Berkshire connected

Health & Food

21

HOW TO SLEEP BETTER: 25 TIPS FROM 25 PEOPLE

By Katie Holmes

Recently we put out this query: What’s your #1 tip for getting better sleep, that’s worked for you personally?

In response, there were loads of great tips from different sleep experts, as well as a wide range of people who have tried something that’s helped them get significantly better sleep. I’ve listed the best responses below (25 in total) and will continue to list new submissions as they come in. If you’re having trouble sleeping, I strongly recommend having a read through these! Here’s what’s been suggested so far:

• Wear blue light blocking glasses • Pay attention to the temperature of your bedroom

(“it is essential the room temperature stays on the cooler spectrum”) • Consider sleep hypnosis • Make your bedroom a sleep-only space • Sleep in as close to darkness as possible • Reflect about your day before you go to bed to clear all the ‘junk’ from your brain • Otherwise, consider planning your day out when you first wake up so you have a greater sense of control over your day, and it’s easier to sleep at night • You can also schedule “worry time” so you only worry about things at a specified time • Consider breathing exercises or yoga • Consider visualization exercises • Try meditation and mindfulness apps • Stop using your phone for at least an hour before bed • Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day • Exercise is important for sleep, but it’s best to exercise in the morning or the day rather than at night • Fatigue your eyelids • Practice gratitude each night • Try a weighted blanket • Sleep naked • Consider sleeping on your back • Pay attention to your diet • Consider using lavender oil • Watch the sunset If you have anything to add that’s worked for you and hasn’t been mentioned below, you’re welcome to make a submission. See also our piece on the dangers of sleep deprivation.

There is one major thing that people tend to neglect when discussing sleep improvement: temperature regulation, or temperature of your sleeping

environment. The thermal environment in your bedroom is one of the most important factors for a night of high-quality, relaxing sleep.

As someone who has spent a lot of time exploring sleep and sleep improvement techniques, but not being able to sleep myself, I have to say that thermal regulation has rarely crossed my mind. But, once I’ve taken notice on this subject myself, I can say that I am sleeping excellently now. Let’s start by saying that room temperature is important for several things; sleep onset and the amount of time in which it occurs, sleep duration, ability to enter deep sleep, and the overall quality of sleep. Your body naturally lowers its temperature before bedtime, and acts as a signal to the brain that it is time to go to sleep. However, if you’re sleeping in a warm bedroom, you will become irritable, agitated, stressed, restless, etc. Your adrenaline levels will skyrocket, you will start to sweat and of course, you won’t get any sleep. Now, since the temperature of the body decreases as you’re falling asleep, it also increases as you enter REM sleep. That is why it is essential the room temperature stays on the cooler spectrum. This way, you won’t wake up from deep sleep and you will get the quality sleep you deserve.

It is recommended that the room temperature should be around 20°C or 68 °F. Now, how can you regulate room temperature? There are a few ways; you can try the air conditioning method, but I recommend a more natural approach. First of all, try to leave the windows open for an hour or two before bedtime. Allow the fresh and crisp night air to enter the bedroom and freshen it.

If it’s the summer season, you can try placing wet towels around the room, ensuring the towels were dipped in cold water. As the water evaporates from the towels, it will cool down the room. Try to prevent heating of the room during the day; use curtains or shutters to keep the room dark and away from the heat and light.

Also, make sure to sleep in loose-fitting, cotton pajamas; make them either sleeveless or short-sleeved.

You can also use cooling mattress and pillow toppers, or you can cool your sheets by placing some ice packs on them before sleep (some people even place their sheets in the freezer for few minutes). Try to sleep in a spread-eagled position, and make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Read more: https://rb.gy/tfpmda

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22 Health & Food

WHY SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND RIGHTS ARE CRUCIAL TO EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS IN KENYA

By Katarzyna Rybarczyk Even though the right to sexual and reproductive health represents a basic human right, in many areas of the world people, especially women and girls, are denied it.

Kenya is an example of a country where many women cannot freely decide on matters regarding pregnancies, do not have access to information about family planning, and are not able to receive good quality sexual and reproductive healthcare.

I have recently spent a month volunteering in Africa’s largest urban slum, Kibera, where I shadowed United Cultural Empowerment & Social Community Organization. UCESCO is a Nairobi-based charity working with underprivileged communities. Its primary goal is to empower women and girls living in slums.

The scale of the problem in Kenya It is estimated that one-fifth of women in Kenya do not know if abortions are legal and who to turn to if they need one. Similarly, they are not aware of the risks of unsafe abortions and do not know where to seek help if any complications occur.

As a result, women who unintentionally get pregnant turn to unlawful abortions, which often are performed in unsanitary conditions by individuals who lack adequate training and qualifications. Consequently, maternal mortality in Kenya is very high with around 6,000 deaths each year, the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) reported. Almost twenty per cent of these deaths are caused by complications after having an unsafe abortion.

Furthermore, in Kenya, around four million women and girls have been subject to female genital mutilation (FGM). When asked about FGM in Kenya, Kingsley Nyandika Kipros, the founder of UCESCO, explained to me that ‘FGM has no health benefits to girls and women.

On the contrary, it puts their physical and psychological well-being at risk.’

In theory, the ritual was outlawed in Kenya in 2011.

In practice, however, female genital mutilation is still prevalent in rural areas, especially in the North-Eastern region of the country. There, the procedure is considered to be a tradition.

Charities help women and girls realise their full rights UCESCO’s approach is not to merely counsel women and girls about sexually transmitted infections and risks of unsafe abortions. The organisation uses talking about reproductive and sexual health to help women and girls become more aware of their rights and make them realise that they are capable of achieving great things in life.

Thanks to the help of UCESCO and other organisations operating in Nairobi’s slums and rural areas around the city, the rates of teenage pregnancies can be reduced and customs such as FGM can be eradicated. Most importantly, however, Kenya is getting closer to achieving gender equality and women and girls no longer agree to

be discriminated against by men.

Empowered by NGOs, women in Kibera are now organising themselves into groups where they support each other, talk about issues such as managing periods, contraception, and female empowerment. They also collectively demand fair treatment and the same rights for men and women. Supported by charities, women have been playing a crucial part in transforming the slum.

There are several barriers to promoting sexual and reproductive health in Kenya Women and girls in Kibera are extremely motivated and willing to work hard to get out of poverty. Sadly, however, due to environmental constraints, they cannot fully realise their potential.

The poverty these women and girls live in is so extreme that their opportunities and tools to promote gender equality are limited. Not only do these women and girls not have access to quality education but, as very few sexual and reproductive healthcare centres operate in impoverished areas of Kenya, they have no one to turn to for guidance and medical treatment.

On top of that, in recent months international donors have been cutting financial aid to family planning programmes in low and middle-income countries. In April, for example, the UK announced that it was going to cut family planning aid to the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) by 85 per cent.

Protecting and promoting girls’ reproductive health and rights can increase their participation in all aspects of life and give them the chance to live a happy life, free from discrimination and gender-based violence. Without sufficient funds and the support of the international community, however, none of that can be achieved.

About the author: Katarzyna Rybarczyk is a Political Correspondent for Immigration Advice Service, an immigration law firm based in the UK but operating globally. Through her articles, she aims to raise awareness about security threats worldwide and the challenges facing communities, especially women and girls, living in developing countries. She has recently spent a month volunteering in the Kibera slum in Nairobi, Kenya.

Photo: Katarzyna Rybarczyk

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Health & Food

23

EMPOWERING TO EMPOWER 2021: YOUR CHOICE

By Dr Esther Oenga

Throughout Covid-19 pandemic, the word empowerment has been used more often than before. This was so because during the pandemic with social distancing and social isolation, many members in the communities, whether young or old became lonely than before. It became apparent that it was everybody’s responsibility to reach out in one way or another to their neighbours. Knowingly or unknowingly many men, women and young people have engaged in providing small and big services that have made a difference in people’s lives. One of the ways through which individuals have been empowered is through online services such as Zoom which Utulivu has used, and it has worked well for over 18 months. Utulivu knows and has experienced the importance of empowering others in order to empower. Utulivu Women’s Group has tirelessly on a week in and week out, run sessions on various topics to empower women, men and young people through ‘Let’s Talk’ empowering sessions on parenting, mental health, suicide, employability, parenting, ageing among others. Individuals and families have been empowered and they have gone ahead to empower others. In August 2021, Utulivu organised the annual conference and the theme was on “EMPOWERING TO EMPOWER”. One of the presentations given was based on the acronym EMPOWERING to reflect what Utulivu has done to empower as seen below: E-Explore: During the let’s talk sessions, individuals were reminded to explore who they are and what they can Do. Many people were re-energised and ignited to find out what they would do in the community and many people have not remained the same because they have explored.

M-Motivate: In many sessions, many people were reminded that empowerment is about first being motivated and then motivating others. Once you are motivated, you always talk about positive things and encouraging other. Motivation is not an event but a daily practice of thinking and talking positive.

P-Potential: In the Zoom talk, many were reminded that empowerment is about unleashing their potential. Many who felt that they would not talk and share their lived experiences that would impact other positively. Now, they attend the sessions weekly and contribute because they have realised their huge potential. Have you realised your potential? Challenge yourself to use it.

O-Opportunities: Empowerment is about creating opportunities for others to maximise. A reminder that opportunities are created, and they are everywhere.

An example is that Covid-19 has been devastating on one hand, but it has created lots of opportunities.

A simple advice FOCUS on the positivity rather the negative and you will create opportunities not only for yourself but for others.

W-Worth: Empowerment is about changing the mindset. Rather than focusing on worry, you realise of how worth everyone is. The pandemic reminded all of us that we are worth, valuable no matter the current status. Your yesterday can never define your tomorrow. You are important to your neighbours.

Change your mindset and start impacting others. You will smile and your smile will impact another. That is empowerment.

E-Empower: Empowerment is about encouraging and empathising. Many who attended the sessions were empowered and they went to their communities and gave back in small and big ways. Standing in the GAP. R-Recognise: Empowerment is about doing right without anybody seeing or asking. In other words, being a role model that many can emulate your actions. Fir actions speak louder than words.

N-Never give up: Covid-19 tested everyone, and many wanted to give up. Through the empowerment sessions, many realised that together we can SUCCEED. Everyone has a responsibility to make our communities better than yesterday. NEVER! NEVER! NEVER! GIVE UP. G-Give: The empowerment sessions reminded many of us that, yes, the pandemic is challenging but we have a lot to give. Just give! Just Give and Just Give.

SUMMARY: Empowering to empower is a Daily business. It is a NOW business; it is Everyone’s Business.

It is a Doable business. You have been empowered, just empower, and make this world a better place than yesterday. THAT IS THE POWER OF EMPOWERMENT.

mojatu.com

24 Health & Food

COVID VACCINE MYTHS

By Neelaveni Padayachee and Varsha Bangalee Despite this uptake, many people especially those of perceptions of vaccine issues. Most of the side effects Caribbean/African heritage are still hesitant to take the of the COVID-19 vaccine are mild. They include low COVID-19 vaccine. The circulation of misinformation grade fever, sore arm and fatigue, and these usually about it poses the danger of hampering efforts to control subside after one to three days. Rare side effects such the pandemic. In this article, we aim to dispel some of the as blood clots have been reported from the Johnson myths surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines. Social media and Johnson vaccine. The chances of experiencing this plays a huge role in propagating myths and conspiracy side effect are low. The risks of blood clots as a result theories. Before you share any information, you should of COVID-19 infection are 8-10 times higher than risks ensure that it is from a scientific and reputable source. associated with the vaccine. Doctors are aware of this concern and are trained to identify and treat the Myth 1: The COVID-19 vaccine will affect a woman’s condition quickly. fertility A recent article by Healthline – a medically reviewed, and fact checked website – compared the benefits and risks of being vaccinated with those of contracting COVID-19. Lung damage is a complication of COVID-19 while muscle fatigue can be a side effect of the vaccine.

This risk-benefit decision is left to the individual to make, but vaccinations have been proven to be safe.

Myth 4: Vaccines have a microchip that will track and control an individual

This myth was sparked when a social media post was shared in December 2020 by Dr Wolfgang Wodarg, a physician and former chief scientist for allergy and respiratory therapy at Pfizer, and Dr Michael Yeadon, a pulmonologist. They claimed that the spike protein on the coronavirus was the same as the spike protein that is responsible for the growth and attachment of the placenta during pregnancy. The fear was that, as a result of the vaccine, the immune system would not be able to differentiate between the two spike proteins and would attack the placental protein.

This is untrue. The overall makeup of the placental protein is very different from the coronavirus spike protein. Additionally, during the Pfizer vaccine tests, 23 women volunteers became pregnant after taking the vaccine. Furthermore, the benefits of being vaccinated outweigh the risks of infection for pregnant women.

Myth 2: I’ve had COVID-19, so I don’t need a vaccine Reinfection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can occur even in individuals who have previously contracted the virus. But receiving the vaccine can provide protection against severe COVID-19 complications. The level of protection that is achieved from natural immunity after being infected by the virus is unknown. But scientists believe that the vaccine provides better protection than natural infection.

This conspiracy theory has been propagated by antivaxxers who believe that the American business magnate, investor and philanthropist Bill Gates will implant microchips to track people’s movement, using the vaccine as the method of delivery. This is untrue and has been clarified by Gates in the media.

This myth gained traction when a video was shared on Facebook making false claims about the optional microchip on the syringe’s label of the COVID-19 vaccine. This microchip’s purpose is to confirm that the injectable and the vaccine are not counterfeit and haven’t expired. It will also confirm if the injection has been used. People commenting on the video appeared to have misinterpreted the technology as an injectable.

But the microchip is part of the syringe label and not the injectable substance itself.

Myth 3: COVID-19 vaccine side-effects are dangerous

Myth 5: The COVID-19 vaccine development was rushed, so it may not be effective

Several studies have been conducted since the start of the pandemic that have measured people’s

The vaccine was developed very quickly. This was possible because the vaccine technology had been

Berkshire connected in development for many years. When the genetic information of SARS-CoV-2 was identified, the process could begin quickly. There were sufficient resources to fund the research and social media made it easier to recruit participants for the clinical trials.

Because SARS-CoV-2 is contagious, it was easy to tell whether the vaccine worked or not.

Health & Food Myth 6: The COVID-19 vaccine can alter my DNA

The messenger RNA vaccine (Pfizer) and the viral vector vaccine (Johnson and Johnson) cause your body to develop protection, so that when you are infected by SARS-CoV-2, your body is prepared to fight the virus. DNA is located in the nucleus of your cells and the vaccine material does not enter the nucleus. So, it does not alter the DNA.

COVID19 VACCINATION DRIVE https://rb.gy/vonzyx

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https://rb.gy/rxqhgr

mojatu.com

26 Education & Career

344 OXFORD ROAD OFFERS NEW HOPE

ACRE establishes a Community Hub to provide services to local communities Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality (ACRE), in partnership with Utulivu and Mojatu have established a Health & Wellbeing Community Hub at the heart of Reading. This is aimed at improving and streamlining holistic oriented support to our local communities at the Oxford Road Community Centre.

Located at 344 Oxford Road, RG30 1AF, this hub is to offer a variety of services especially health and wellbeing, training, jobs and employability support, and other community based and driven services.

Covid-19 pandemic has led to multiple deaths and difficulties among communities globally over the past 18 months.

However, the Black and Ethnic minorities (BAME) in the UK have experienced three times higher mortality, morbidity, job losses, unemployment and overall social economic and health and other negative effects. The young people were not spared either, with 43% of Black young people being unemployed compared to 12% of the White population.

ACRE in partnership with Utulivu Women’s Group and Mojatu Foundation have joined hands in refining the operations of the Oxford Road Community Centre by introducing services to address the implications of the crisis. These services have been shaped and guided by the feedback from the local communities and are structured such that they will continuously adapt in response to the ever-changing needs and circumstances of our communities.

The partners, using their position of trust within our communities who experience complex social issues will provide targeted support to local people at this time when they were needed most. These services will include: Health and wellbeing such as medical checks and awareness raising for healthy living, lifestyle and on countering diseases like diabetes, blood pressure prostate cancer among others.

Provision of community information through sourcing, accessing, and disseminating authentic community voices through conversations, research and monthly discussion and conversation sessions. The hub will also house and manage quarterly Mojatu magazine and online FMB Radio.

Training and support for individuals and communities in developing community leadership and change makers to help address issues affecting communities at the earliest possible point. A list of training and leadership programmes will be provided soon.

Employability and skills development especially among younger Black people. This will be through programmes such as Kickstart Scheme, job and volunteering placements, training programmes such as ESOL, English conversations, driving theory with English language support, digital media, community leadership, community journalism and broadcasting among others.

Other advice, guidance and signposting including legal and immigration support which are deemed necessary in enabling local communities to lead active and productive lives.

These programmes will be offered either directly by the hub partners mainly ACRE, Utulivu Women’s Group and Mojatu or through partnerships with organisations such as National Career Services, DWP among others. Other services will be offered through signposting to local organisations specialising in the services required by the local communities.

For support and to learn more about our programmes, please visit www.acrereading.org/hub or contact us on: Alliance for Cohesion and Racial Equality 344 Oxford Road, RG30 1AF THIS COMMUNITY HUB IS SUPPORTED BY

27 Berkshire connected Health & Food Do you want to see, hear and share your story as text, video, audio, podcast and / or photos?

Learn how to capture, record & amplify your stories with our: • Training & guidance to creatively tell your story • Recording, editing and packaging your contents • Amplifying your voice through multiple platforms • Self, business or community broadcasting *Free training, recording & broadcasting for charities & community groups.

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28 Education & Career

We, Men!’ Acre Men’s Group “Standing Together as One” Group aims to provide a safe space for men to socialise, talk about issues affecting them and their communities, receive peer support from peers or be sign-posted to organisations that can help.

Objectives: To ➢ holistically address Men’s emotional and psychological well-being ➢ address their social and economic well-being, ➢ establish a mutually supportive network of self-help initiatives ➢ promote volunteering & advocacy Contact for Needs Assessment Support Form: Middle Building, 344 Oxford Road, Reading RG30 1AF

07985775581

Charity No: 1149491

readingmengroup@gmail.com

Company No: 8248195

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FEARLESS YOUTH ASSOCIATION

• Digital Storytelling, • Graphic Design, • Music Production & Editing, • Photography, • Videography, • Web Design • Radio Broadcasting & Interviewing Skills

DIGITAL MEDIA TRAINING PROGRAM Health & Food

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30 Education & Career

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KUTAMBUA PARTNERSHIP TO TRANSFORM OUTCOMES FOR BAME YOUTHS By Edrissa Touray Kutambua has committed to take proactive action in countering the impact of Covid-19 in Reading by getting at least young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into employment within the next 12 months.

Kutambua, in partnership with Alliance for Cohesion & Racial Equality (ACRE) and Utulivu Women’s Group have joined hands in supporting BAME people into work. This project is being delivered in partnership with Nottingham based PATRA incorporating ACDA who have supported Black and Minority youths into training and employment for over 30 years.

The Kutambua partnrship will provide opportunities to people of BAME heritage by enhancing their labour market competitiveness through training, skills development and work placements. They will use their joint experience and reputation for their effectiveness and success in transforming lives of individuals and communities.

The project will support at least 50 young people into employment by enhancing their access to work and skills through training and support with digital and soft skills. The project also partners with local employers in offering paid employment positions. It reinforces Kutambua’s positive action of combating the underrepresentation of Black and other ethnic minority groups, countering the impact of racism currently, and historic racial discrimination and disadvantages.

This partnership is timely given the report published by Resolution Foundation that highlighted the worrying statistic that ‘around one-in-five young people, and over one-in-five Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) workers, who have been furloughed during the lockdown have since lost their jobs’.

The young people will go through a traineeship programme to enhance their skills in, Business, Digital, Health and Social Care skills. In addition, they will have unfettered access to one-to-one work training and mentoring support by employability professionals to ensure they not only gain work experience but also benefit from on-the-job training to help them improve their networks and connections. As well as gaining the confidence necessary to get into meaningful employment.

This programme is in line with all partner’s shared objective to support young people from marginalised backgrounds into financially competitive jobs. It further aligns with ACRE’s determination to remove all forms of disadvantage that impedes the BAME community from competing on an equal basis in the labour market. It serves as a tool for challenging the current under-

representation of the BAME population in skilled and senior positions in the labour market.

Kutambua’s philosophy of Positive Action, “a means of combating the under-representation of Black and other ethnic minority groups and countering the impact of racism, racial discrimination and racial disadvantage” underpins this partnership’s programme.

The programme serves as a vehicle for social mobility by encouraging young BAME people to take advantage of opportunities across a range of skilled job sectors through access to employment, training, upskilling, and support opportunities.

The programme partners are predominantly BAME led organisations who have also experienced difficulties in recruiting and accessing higher quality staff due to financial and other operational disadvantages.

They are especially suitable for supporting the young people given their cultural understanding and can offer them appropriate support while improving their organisational operations and sustainability through tailored in-service training delivery for both the employers and the young people.

This transformative partnership between Kutambua and PATRA aligns with the UK government’s Plan for Jobs initiative which aims to support young people into employment by building the skills they need through on-the-job coaching and training.

For more information, email info@kutambua.com or visit www.kutambua.com/reading.

JOB SITIONS E L B A PO L I A AV

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ARE YOU: • 16-24 Years old • Unemployed and on Universal Credits • Looking for a job minimum 25 hours a week • Want to work for unto 6 months at national minimum wage

4 POSITIONS @ ACRE • Projects Assistant • Events Manager • Legal Assistant • Community Engagement Assistant 4 • • • •

POSITIONS @ UTULIVU Office Administrator Communications & Marketing Executive Projects Assistant (Women & Girls Projects) Web Developer (WordPress Website Developer)

4 POSITIONS @ MOJATU • Community Journalists & Radio broadcasters TO APPLY www.kutambua.com/reading info@kutambua.com 0745 830 4611 Instagram: kutambua_notts Facebook: kutambuanotts Twitter: kutambua_notts

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