Mojatu Magazine Derby D007

Derby connected

News & Sports

Issue D007

Entrepreneur RUFARO HWINDINGWI Poet ASHLEE PARIS-JABANG Community hero EDAH LUPAMBO

Saluting Our Sisters at Derby University - Pages 28-29

1

Editor’s Welcome

Contents

Women and girls have always been at the centre of what we do at Mojatu since our charity’s inception fifteen years ago. Therefore, when we learnt that the theme for this year’s Black History Month was ‘Saluting Our Sisters’ (more on that on pages 28-29), we made a commitment to carry this sentinement not just throughout October, but into the new year with this latest edition of our Derby magazine.

News & Sports UN projects FGM to end by 2030 .......................4-5 South Africa wins Rugby World Cup...................6-7 East Midlands devolution ..........................................8 Community White Ribbon Day campaign ...................................9 Pride 2023 at Markeaton Park..........................10-11 Arts & Culture Carnival 2023.........................................................20-23 Nigerian singer PHEENIX...................................14-15 Poet Ashlee Paris-Jabang..................................16-17 Theatre Review: 4 Walls............................................ 18 Derby Poetry Festival................................................ 19 Health & Food Introverted Moves................................................20-21 Wildlife Trust project...........................................22-23 Business & Finance Community hero Edah Lupambo...........................25 Entrepreneur Rufaro Hwindingwi.................... 26-27 Education & Career University celebrates local sisters..................... 28-29

Our cover this issue – taken by the ultra-talented Iyisha Williams – features the trailblazing entrepreneur Rufaro Hwindingwi, who is deserving of applause not just for her landmark achievement of opening a brand new inclusive beauty parlour right in the city centre, but also for her work in uplifting and empowering other Black businesswomen in Derby. Read our interview with her on pages 26-27.

Other inspirational women in this issue include Edah Lumpambo, who set up her Aid for Africa charity shop to raise funds for children in Zambia (page 25), and Ashlee Paris-Jabang, the local poet who received global recognition for her work (pages 16-17). Plus, on page 9, read all about the male students taking a stand against gender-based violence through their impact White Ribbon Day campaign.

Whether you are a new reader or have picked up a copy of Mojatu Derby in the past, we hope that this issue of the magazine will succeed in enlightening and inspiring all who read it.

Jamie Morris Assistant Group Editor

Cover Rufaro Hwindingwi

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.

Editorial Group Editor: Peter Makossah - peter.m@mojatu.com Assistant Group Editor: Jamie Morris - derby@mojatu.com Design: Robert Borbely - robert@mojatu.com Photos: www.freepik.com Contributors: Jamie Morris | Tristan Best | Peter Makossah Sophie Robinson | David Chan | Iyisha Williams Laura Foulds Moody IT: Julius Mwangi - julius@mojatu.com Accounts: Thierry Karume - accounts@mojatu.com Admin: Penny Cooper - penny@mojatu.com Sales & Marketing | Community Engagement: Abdoulie Jah - jah@mojatu.com Edwin Ubah - eddy@mojatu.com

News & Comments: news@mojatu.com Social Media: Jamie Morris - derby@mojatu.com Audio Contents: Seif-el-deen Abushkhaidem - audio@mojatu.com Getting the magazine: Online @ https://issuu.com/mojatu Subscription @ £24 per year including postage Address: 91 Melbourne Street, Derby, DE1 2GF T: 0115 8457 009 | 07393499448 | 0751 366 1176 Facebook: facebook.com/MojatuDerby X: twitter.com/MojatuDerby Instagram: instagram.com/mojatuderby Printers: Mojatu Media

4

News & Sports

mojatu.com

UN PROJECTS FGM TO END BY 2030 - By Peter Makossah

Nothing, they say, lasts forever.

Prolific poet and writer, as Sanober Khan once aptly said; “ The magic fades too fast, the scent of summer never lasts, the nights turn hollow and vast, but nothing remains, and nothing lasts,” everything that starts ends.

performed by health personnel pointing to an alarming trend in the medicalization of female genital mutilation.

In its quest to end FGM, a humanitarian organisation that champions zero tolerance on the deleterious and injurious practice, Mojatu Foundation works with FGM survivors and communities affected by The Mumbai-based penpusher, Sanober Khan, FGM in safeguarding girls and women at risk of may have Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in mind FGM and supporting survivors. when she made these remarks because this nasty ‘hu-wo-man’ tragedy will soon be history in the The Nottingham-based Charity, Mojatu, engage next seven years.

FGM individual survivors, communities and other partners and stakeholders in raising awareness and FGM, like any bad practice, will not last forever and tackling FGM, in the UK and Internationally who in the time to bin it - just as in nature, not every tree doing this, they adopt the formidable strategies lasts forever - and every stream flows until the end of and models to banish the evil practice. time, as the world changes, nature changes with it.

In an interview Mojatu Foundation FGM project The United Nations (UN) aims to put to an end FGM manager, Saida Barbar said: “We have just got about by 2030, which is just around the corner. six years to go before 2030 and we must double our In 2023 alone, there are 4.32 million girls around efforts in order to make sure that we achieve the the world who are at risk of undergoing female UN Sustainable Development Goal number 5 by genital mutilation. and significant opposition rates the targeted timeframe. to female genital mutilation among men and boys Added Ms. Barber: “However, sustaining these are evident in countries such as Eritrea, Ethiopia, achievements in the face of humanitarian crises Guinea, and Sudan. such as disease outbreaks such as the global Around 1 in 4 girls and women, or 52 million Covid-19 pandemic, climate change, armed worldwide, experienced female genital mutilation, conflicts and more could cause a rollback of

Derby connected

News & Sports

5

progress toward achieving gender equality and the Significant opposition rates to female genital elimination of FGM by 2030.” mutilation among men and boys are evident in countries such as Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, and The Mojatu Foundation project manager said with Sudan. just six years remaining in this decade of action, there is potential in eliminating FGM through This year, the UNFPA-UNICEF Joint Programme sustainable partnerships with men and boys. on the Elimination of Female Genital Mutilation: Delivering the Global Promise launched the “Their voices and actions can transform deeply 2023 theme; “Partnership with Men and Boys to rooted social and gender norms, allowing girls transform Social and gender Norms to End FGM”. and women to realize their rights and potential in terms of health, education, income, and equality,” This year, UNFPA and UNICEF call on the global she emphasised. community to partner with men and boys and foster their engagement to accelerate the UN springing action elimination of this harmful practice and uplift the Although the practice has been around for more voices of women and girls. than a thousand years, there are myriad reasons Varying initiatives have been employed by to think that female genital mutilation could end organizations around the world to engage and in a single generation hence the UN is vigorously partner with men and boys and for them to take pushing for its full eradication by 2030, following an active role. the spirit of Sustainable Development Goal 5.

However, UNFPA estimates there may be as many Since 2008, UNFPA, jointly with UNICEF, leads as 2 million cases of female genital mutilation by the largest global programme to accelerate the 2030 that would have otherwise been averted due elimination of female genital mutilation. to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the UN, the Joint Programme This is the 6th year that Nottingham is celebrating currently focuses on 17 countries in Africa and the being the first city of zero tolerance to FGM. Middle East and also supports regional and global initiatives.

Mojatu Foundation has been integral in raising awareness, sensitising communities and The UN says over the years, this partnership has empowering survivors to be the driving force for seen significant achievements and through the tackling FGM by giving them a voice and engaging support of the joint programme, more than six them in discussions, decision-making, and events million girls and women received prevention, aimed at tackling FGM. protection and care services related to FGM. A UN 2021 Annual Report on FGM sourced by Mojatu Magazine indicate that 45 million people made public declarations to abandon FGM while in the same vein 532,158 girls were prevented from undergoing the detrimental practice.

Although primarily concentrated in 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East, female genital mutilation is a universal problem and is also practiced in some countries in Asia and Latin America.

Over the last 25 years, the prevalence of FGM has declined globally, and today, a girl is one-third less likely to undergo FGM than 30 years ago.

Men ending FGM In 2012, the UN General Assembly designated February 6th as the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, with the aim to amplify and direct the efforts on the elimination of this practice.

6

News & Sports

mojatu.com

SPRINGBOKS HANG ON TO RUGBY WORLD CUP

- By Tristan Best

As South Africa’s national team become rugby behind the English, who are the only team from world champions for the fourth time, Tristan Best the Northern Hemisphere to win the Rugby World recounts their journey to the top…

Cup. A penalty was then awarded to the Springboks – surprisingly enough Manie Libbok scored the The Boks have previously won in 1995, 2007 and penalty instead of Pollard, the usual kicker for the 2019. At the previous World Cup, we saw a repetition men in green and gold. This brought the score to 6-3. of the 2007 final, where England and South Africa met prior. The mighty Springboks came together to A penalty was then given away by Siya Kolisi, our forge an incredible display against the English, held captain, which was then converted by Owen Farrel at the Yokohama International Stadium in Japan. The again, making the score 9-3. Ben Earl then gave away Springboks were then crowned the Rugby World a penalty in favour of SA, which was then scored by cup champions for the first time in 12 years – a well Pollard making the game even more enticing, at 9-6. needed infusion of joy and hope.

A few minutes later Steph du Toit committed a foul, giving the English Lions an opportunity to extend South Africa carried that hope into this year’s the lead to 12-6. quarter-final against France, the hosts, which was one of the best games I’ve watched. The French were At the 52:35 mark, Owen Farrel then went for a continuously scoring tries and so were the Boks. brilliant drop kick, extending the lead further for Both teams were loaded with speed and strength – England, pushing away from the Boks. With the the ultimate formula for power – but in the end, only score now at 15-6, the RSA rugby team really had one point separated the two, with Hnadre Pollard to keep their heads in the game to insist on not scoring a late penalty. The Boks were through to the sacrificing anymore points. The holding champions semi-finals, yet again. fought their way back into the game with a mighty push from the lads. RG Snyman managed to score The semi-final was a tightly contested bout between a much needed try, bringing the game back to 15two rugby giants, as South Africa found themselves 11. The kicker Pollard then brought the teams closer, pitted against England once again. The game’s first closing the gap to only two points – still in England’s points were awarded to England with Owen Farrel favour. scoring two penalties, South Africa falling 6 points

Derby connected Ellis Genge then gave away a foul for England, against the growing pressure, which was followed by an equalising shot from South Africa’s number 10, Pollard again. With the score now at 16-15, to the South Africans, the team shielded the poles and back lines with the utmost care.

News & Sports

7

The lads were then sent to face their biggest rivals in the final, New Zealand’s renowned Rugby team, the All Blacks. It was them in the way of a glorious backto-back championship.

This match-up was a repeat of the 1995 bout where South Africa were victorious, in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The Boks wished to proceed as they did nearly 30 years ago, and after a tense game, the rainbow nation succeeded in securing a victory once again.

Having now broken their tie with the All Blacks – formerly three titles each – the Springboks can be considered the most renowned team on Earth.

Image credit: GovernmentZA

8

News & Sports

mojatu.com

STAKEHOLDERS AND COUNCIL BOSSES DISCUSS EAST MIDLANDS DEVOLUTION - By Peter Makossah Local leaders from a range of sectors recently came together to discuss the progress of East Midlands devolution, as plans to give the region extra powers and funding gather pace and momentum.

that EMCCA could be a reality from spring 2024, with the first ever election for a regional mayor covering Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Derby, and Nottingham - taking place in May 2024.

During the meeting, senior officers at Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Derby City Council and Nottingham City Council provided updates to key stakeholders, as devolution plans advance.

Greg Broughton, Sustainable Growth and Place Manager at the Environment Agency in East Midlands said: “Reflecting on the recent devolution stakeholder event, it was abundantly clear that there is a strong collective enthusiasm and drive to seize the opportunity for devolution to work The event, attended by representatives from together, to collaborate in new ways and to make business groups, universities and colleges, and the changes needed to transform the region.” emergency services, saw Nottingham and Derby cities and counties chief executives provide If the plans go ahead, the EMCCA - spanning two updates on key elements of the region’s proposed counties and cities - would be the first combined devolution deal, including transport, skills and county authority in the country, with a new elected adult education, housing, and net-zero. regional mayor at the helm, representing around 2.2 million people with a guaranteed income Scott Knowles, Chief Executive at the East Midlands stream of at least £1.14 billion, spread over a 30Chamber of Commerce, said: “The East Midlands year period. has historically received the lowest levels of public funding in England. The fact that the East Midlands Following the devolution proposals, the East has consistently delivered GDP growth close to the Midlands has been invited to establish an UK average, from very low levels of investment, is ‘Investment Zone’, which will attract £80 million testament to the commitment and ingenuity of the of support over five years, with tax incentives for thousands of SMEs that are the backbone of the businesses to help boost economic growth right region’s economy. across the region.

For the proposed East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA) to come into existence, new legislation is required from the Government, which is anticipated to be in place before the end of the year.

Emma Alexander, Managing Director at Derbyshire County Council, said: “Devolution would unlock major benefits for our region, including extra powers and funding around a range of issues including housing, transport, skills, adult education Detailed devolution proposals would then be and the environment. sent to the Government for approval, meaning

Derby connected

Community

9

LOCAL CELEBRITIES LEND SUPPORT FOR SCHOOL STUDENTS’ WHITE RIBBON DAY CAMPAIGN - By David Chan

A group of eight male students from secondary schools across Derby have joined Derby’s Youth Mayor to create a campaign for White Ribbon Day 2023.

Ribbon Campaign relates greatly towards my aim of community safety. Feedback raised by young people during my presentations at secondary schools shows that cases of violence amongst young people – especially young women – are still prevalent and White Ribbon Day is an international day of awareness require our urgent attention.’’ on 25 November, where men and boys show their commitment to ending violence against women and “I see the White Ribbon Campaign as a valuable step girls. This year’s theme is ‘Change the Story’. in the right direction, not just educating our young people on appropriate behaviour and language The campaign, which has received great support, towards women but putting what they have learned includes an awareness video produced by young into action – for everyone’s benefit.” people along with the Derby Theatre, and encourages students to #ChangeTheStory. The video explains why To mark White Ribbon Day, students from several White Ribbon Day is important, what the purpose of Derby secondary schools are participating in activities the White Ribbon campaign is, along with how men to raise awareness for the cause during the week and boys across Derby can show their support. beginning 20 November 2023.

Joe Wildsmith from Derby County Football Club, Wayne Madsen from Derbyshire County Cricket Club and local music artist Scriptz feature in the video.

Speaking in the video, Wayne Madsen said: “We are asking all boys and men to support this campaign and to help change behaviours.’’

These activities include the White Ribbon campaign video being shown to all year groups during form time or in school assemblies. The White Ribbon presentation will also be shown to all year groups in either form time or school assemblies. Male students and staff will wear white ribbons and fundraise for women’s charities. Students will also be able to get This statement is echoed by Joe Wildsmith who said: creative by designing giant white ribbons for a city“White Ribbon represents action to prevent violence wide competition. against women and girls by addressing its root cause.’’

The campaign is led by Community Action Derby, the Derby Youth Alliance and the Voices in Action (ViA) Youth Council at Derby City Council. Speaking about this year’s campaign, Derby’s Youth Mayor, Muhammad “Munti Muntasir, said: “The White

mojatu.com

10 Community

PRIDE 2023: SAFETY AND INCLUSIVITY PARAMOUNT AT MARKEATON PARK

- By Jamie Morris A variety of organisations came together to create a safe space for hundreds of guests at Derby’s annual LGBTQ+ celebration.

Colourful flags flew proudly across a sunny, near-cloudless sky as attendees flocked to enjoy the free event and socialise with members of the lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer community.

On the main stage, there were a variety of live performances including singer Lauren Porter – who did tributes to both Pink and Dusty Springfield – and drag queen Betty Bangs, plus a ring where wrestlers performed stunts throughout the day.

Stallholders were also present at the event to raise awareness of issues pertinent to the LGBTQ+ community and provide helpful advice. Among these was the NHS’s Your Sexual Health Matters

(YSHM) team, who shared information around preventing STI transmission and distributed free condoms.

service providers. “It’s very good seeing so many people around,” he said. “We’re networking here today and have made a lot of links that we’ll be working with in the Sexual health practitioner Gary future.”

Woodhouse said: “It’s really important to make sure that we’re covering the whole of the county. We attend all the major events that we can, including Chesterfield and Belper Pride. This is our final one for the year, so it’s really important that we’ve been seen out and about around the whole county.”

Grow Live was Charles Dewa, also with YSHM, Change another helpful organisation added that the event was a good opportunity to connect with other in attendance, aiming to raise awareness of drug and alcohol

Derby connected harm reduction among young people, and supply them with bottle stoppers that prevent drink spiking. “If people want to ask us anything about alcohol or drugs, then we’ll give them fact-based information,” said substance abuse counsellor Merlin Williams. “We’re not here to judge anyone or tell them not to do anything – just how to stay safe.”

The University of Derby – based just across the road from the park – also had its own stall and was promoting the services it has for students from the LGBTQ+ community. Dr Jo Bishton, Head of Equity, Inclusion & Wellbeing at the uni, said: “We’ve got people who are on the stall from our recruitment team from our schools and colleges and from the Multi-Faith Centre so that we can reach out and support the community.”

Community the city of Derby.”

This year’s Pride was particularly significant as 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of Derbyshire LGBT+, the county’s one and only LGBTQ-specific support service.

Since 1983, the charity has helped local people with a range of challenges including coming out, facing discrimination and upholding both sexual and mental health.

John Yates-Harold, Project Officer for Adults Services, said: “This year is our ruby anniversary, and we’re going to as many Prides as we can to promote our services. We do a range of about forty different groups and drop-ins every month, covering the full age range and spectrum of sexual orientations and gender identities. We’re here for everybody to come and see us and get the support they need.”

Find more at derbyshirelgbt.org.uk

Anthony Henriques from the Multi-Faith Centre was keen to iterate that the facility is open to everyone, regardless of their sexuality or gender identity. “We’re here to promote complete inclusivity in faith,” he said. “Faith is completely inclusive of all creeds and all communities, and that’s what we’re here to celebrate today in

11

mojatu.com

Fearless Youth Collective

12 News & Sports

An exploration of thoughts, feelings and energy through the creative power of written prose and rhythmic beats.

This programme is split into two sections: 1. Participants undertake Accredited Music Production training course to fully develop their technical skills and will also be coached by experienced industry professionals to help them fully embrace their creative side.

2. The final product will be a powerful sound collage that participants will take away with them with the possibility to showcase their work at a series of venues, events and on the radio.

Writing & Recording Songs Spoken Word Poetry Production

Fya Notts

fyaonline.com

fya_notts

info@fyaonline.com

FYA_Notts

Unit 8, Howitt Wing Building,

0115 784 6666 / 07940801393

Lenton Blvd NG7 2BY

Derby connected

News & Sports

13

14 Arts & Culture

mojatu.com

RISING FROM THE ASHES: IN CONVERSATION WITH NIGERIAN SINGER PHEENIX

By Tristan Best

We speak to Emmanuel “PHEENIX” Olih about Mojatu: What inspired you to make your own how living in Derby has allowed him to develop music? freely as a multi-genre artist.

PHEENIX: I started making music at a very young Mojatu: What was life like in Nigeria? age, but I didn’t officially release my first song until 2017. What inspired me were the artists I grew up PHEENIX: I was born and raised in Abuja, the capital watching, and the creative styles they had. I wanted city of Nigeria on 24th May, 1998. Life in Nigeria to tap into that and use it to reach out to people and was difficult as I couldn’t freely express my creative bring them together. I wanted to create something endeavours to the extent that I wanted, due several genuine and beautiful for the world to enjoy. My cultural perceptions – but living with my family family, my life and the stories I wanted to share with was one of the best parts. They mean everything to the world also added to that. me, so it was really hard for me to leave them and come to a different country by myself. The social Mojatu: Who are your target audience? and economic climate in Nigeria seems to make it impossible to have a creative life and not feel PHEENIX: I make music for everyone, of all ages pressured by everyone around you to give it up, with and orientations. I am a multi-genre artist and make music to break the genre boundaries so people can it seeming impossible to get to the top. enjoy the art form in its truest form in all its glory.

Mojatu: When did you move over to the UK? I make songs and albums in several genres which reach out to a different target audience each time, PHEENIX: I moved to the UK in 2016 after I completed while also creating a new target audience, which is my secondary school education in Nigeria, and have the PHEENIX audience. lived here in Derby ever since, going on to study a joint honours course of Film & TV studies and They could start off being a fan of rock or Afrobeat Psychology at the University of Derby. music, but then become a fan of PHEENIX music,

Derby connected

Arts & Culture

15

because they’re becoming a part of this new world I’m trying to create with music. So far I’ve made music in genres such as rock, hip-hop, R&B, Afrobeat, Eighties synthwave, alternative and much more. If you’re a fan of any of that, my music is for you.

the community was separated and there wasn’t any unity, which I believed was desperately needed to revitalise the entire city. We made Love Your Sound a weekly event, on every Tuesday at BUNK and every Thursday at the Kitchen 7pm-11pm.

Mojatu: How does music make you feel?

Once this event began, the amount of people who could not stay away really impressed both businesses and myself, as the event brought a lot more vibrance to the street of Sadlergate, which was already well known for live music but did not have the same vibrance for quite some time. My event changed all that. We have been running Love Your Sound every single week since the start date till now.

PHEENIX: When I make music, it makes me feel like it’s the only time in my life that I am actually myself. I feel connected to music and I am my best self when I make music. My whole life I’ve struggled with my identity, not knowing who I was and what I wanted to be.

Once I found music, everything made sense, as soon as I found it I’ve been deeply in love with making music for myself and the people around me. There’s no better feeling than when I’m on stage performing my songs, and I see the love from everyone listening, and how much they believe in me and what I make.

Music makes me feel alive.

Mojatu: What are your favourite songs and artists?

PHEENIX: My top three songs are ‘A Thousand Bad Times’ by Post Malone, ‘Blinding Lights’ by The Weeknd and ‘Vibration’ by FireboyDML. My favourite artists are Juice WRLD, The Weeknd and Lionel Richie.

Mojatu: What are your aims for the future?

PHEENIX- My aims for the future are to keep making music and to inspire people. On the same note, I want to keep growing my sound and my audience to greater heights. And keep promoting the musical community of Derby, eventually the rest of the UK too, because there is so much talent here that needs to be showcased, and I believe together we can all make a difference, but if I can make a platform that benefits everyone else in this community, then I will do just that. As they have given me so much, and I’d love to return the gesture.

Mojatu: What are your favourite three songs of Mojatu: Why is England such an important place for you? your own?

PHEENIX: England is such an important place for me. It’s the first place I finally felt like myself. I lived in Nigeria for 18 years of my life and I didn’t feel like I was myself, that I could be myself or could express myself. But from the moment I moved to the UK, that Mojatu: What sort of work have you done for the feeling went away, and I was truly welcomed into a local community? place where I could express myself and become the PHEENIX: During my time here in Derby, I have great artist I’m destined to be one day. performed at several musical events for the community and have also been featured on BBC Radio Derby several times to discuss my music. I was also once approached by BBC Radio Derby to create an official song for the World Compliments Day. PHEENIX: In the last seven years, I’ve made over five albums and twenty singles. I think my top three out of all of them would be ‘Letter to My Rockstar’, ‘Praying for a Miracle’ and ‘Friendzone’.

I currently run an open mic/karaoke event called Love Your Sound which is for the music community.

It’s an open mic night/karaoke music event made for everyone. The idea was to create a safe space and environment for upcoming artists like myself to come and showcase their talent and skill. Love Your Sound was made to bring the community back together.

Mojatu: Tell us more about Love Your Sound.

PHEENIX: While exploring the music community in Derby, during my early years in the city, I noticed

16 Arts & Culture

mojatu.com

DERBY POET WINS THIRD PLACE PLAZA PRIZE FOR AUDIO POETRY

By Sophie Robinson

A poet from Derby has come third place in an I’ve had my hair touched quite a lot – but it really international competition for audio poetry. affected me this time, and so I wrote about Black hair and why we should respect it.”

Ashlee Paris-Jabang attended the Malta Book Festival where she performed and received her Plaza Ashlee has also written about art in education and Audio Poetry Prize. She had entered the competition how it impacted her own life. She was born in Leeds “to see what would happen” and was surprised but moved to St Kitts and Nevis at only four to be shortlisted, let alone be placed in the weeks old where she lived until the age of top three. The audio poem she entered 17. She said: “When I was at school in the into the competition is called ‘The Caribbean we didn’t have options like Leather Year’ which is about her love drama and art - it was very academic. story with her husband.

I wrote about how I suffered and it affected my mental health greatly, She said: “I wrote poetically about the until I came to England and studied three years of our marriage. I wrote it musical theatre.” during the pandemic and I decided to be very vulnerable with my Ashlee was into songwriting art. An area I hadn’t explored in as a child and entered my art was love. I’m a person Junior Calypso, but she who likes to look at myself and describes her transition my Black history dating back to poetry as ‘easy’. She to slavery to see where things says that writing was trickle down. It opened a rabbit really important for hole for me to research Black her mental health as love.” a child. “Poetry helped me when I was very Ashlee explored how people in depressed. When I the Black community generally was 12 I got into a car didn’t make themselves accident and I lost vulnerable in relationships sight in my right eye. because of generational traumas In the Caribbean I from slavery. “We were taught had to get on with not to love and we were told things. Not being we were incapable of loving. I’m able to see from one only six generations from my eye did not give me ancestor who came from Africa the special attention to the Caribbean and it takes 14 that I received when I generations for trauma to exit came to England and the DNA”, she said. started sixth form.”

Ashlee said that writing about However, when Ashlee love was a new venture for her. was about to begin Before, she would write about university to study social injustices and Black history.

Law, her eye relapsed She said: “I’m a creative practitioner leading to multiple so I use music, drama and poetry surgeries. She didn’t to facilitate therapeutic healing get to go to university in my work and I use it for myself because the government too. “There was an incident where increased tuition prices someone touched my hair – and and didn’t want to defer

Derby connected Ashlee’s entry as they would lose money. She said: “That sent my mental health plummeting and I became quite suicidal. I came here to be a lawyer and I got depressed because I didn’t know what else to do. I started writing my feelings and my anger, and it was the first time I went to therapy.”

However, teachers at Ashlee’s college saw her creativity and asked her to join a musical theatre course which led her to study creative expressive therapies at the University of Derby. Now, Ashlee finds being a drama therapist fulfilling.

She recently got a thank you letter from a young person which put things into perspective. “I didn’t realise how I impacted this young person.

It’s moments like that that make me think this is something I’m forever going to continue to do.”

Ashlee’s newest project has been podcasting after she launched a business called Jabang Media

Arts & Culture

17

alongside her husband. The company is home to three new podcasts: ‘KanuLove’, ‘Where’s Your Husband?’, and ‘The Gentlemen’.

‘KanuLove’ is a podcast that Ashlee co-hosts with her husband where they bring in and interview other couples. The first episode is called ‘The Survival of Black Love’, all about how Black love has endured through slavery and the Windrush era.

‘Where’s Your Husband?’ is Ashlee’s solo podcast. She says: “It’s a play on the fact that it doesn’t matter if you’re single or married, it doesn’t matter what your walk of life is, as a woman you get that question: Are you getting married, do you have a boyfriend?”

Her husband also has his own podcast for Jabang Media called ‘The Gentlemen’, which Ashlee said is “to show the soft side of Black men.” All upcoming episodes can be listened to on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts and CastBox.

18 Arts & Culture

mojatu.com

THEATRE REVIEW: 4 WALLS - By Jamie Morris

Derby Theatre puts the local community in the temperaments and parenting styles set up some of spotlight in this diverse and authentic new play… the show’s best comedic gags.

Built from the ground up by a diverse team of homegrown talent, Obe ‘Rukus’ Watson’s 4 Walls wears its Derby roots on its sleeve by embracing local accents and peppering in references to familiar settings like Markeaton Park. If you live locally, there’s probably only a few degrees of separation between yourself and someone who worked on the play.

4 Walls follows an ensemble cast of neighbours from different backgrounds whose lives overlap in unexpected ways. Among these characters are a young Romanian man who becomes an online rap sensation, an elderly member of the Windrush Generation and her family, and a white single mother who leaves home to shield her dual-heritage son from her parents’ casual racism – all people who have attempted to rebuild the intangible construct that is ‘home’.

Some of the actors bring additional talents to the table – Cobeanu and Marsh-Reid both get a chance to rap, there’s a powerful ballad sung by Donna Briscoe-Greene, and Reagan lays her character’s heart bare with an expressive dance performance.

There’s also a wonderful soundtrack featuring saxophonist Marcus Joseph that enhances the show’s emotional beats tenfold.

Just as key to the success of the play as the people we see on the stage are the creatives behind the scenes. The innovative yet austere set design by Charlotte Henery includes both indoor and outdoor features, and walls lined with doors that could either lead in or out depending on the context, allowing for smooth transitions between scenes. Ambient lighting by Benny Goodman sets the mood for each episode, and in some instances, photographs of characters are projected onto the stage to give Tying together these thematic threads is our narrator, us glimpses of their lives outside of what’s directly the landlord of the estate, played by Joseph Black. shown in the play.

His laid-back performance feels more akin to standup comedy than stage acting, and while some of the While there’s lots for audiences to appreciate and narration feels too abstract and estranged from the relate to, the ending of the play is likely to be more events at hand, Black establishes a strong rapport divisive, as a somewhat contrived plot twist strains to with the audience through wit and charisma. amplify what’s already an emotional conclusion in its own right. It definitely adds an element of surprise, 4 Walls is at its best when it focuses on the small but feels a lot less plausible than the other, more yet meaningful interactions between characters grounded developments that unfold throughout. who, on the surface, appear to share little common ground – like when migrant Nico (Timotei Cobeanu) Nonetheless, 4 Walls showcases what’s possible when shows his neighbour Femi (Jerone Marsh-Reid) how talented local people are given the opportunities to lock his front door. “I’ve been through many doors and resources to tell meaningful stories for their in my life,” he says, inconspicuously hinting at a own communities. Diverse and authentic, this is a difficult upbringing. Single mums Lotty (Ida Reagan) pertinent snapshot of Derby capable of resonating and Tisha (Coronation Street’s Kate Spencer) also with a wide cross-section of its population. have great chemistry, and the differences in their 4 Walls played at Derby Theatre from 7-9 September

Derby connected

Arts & Culture

19

BLACK WORDSMITHS HEADLINE AT INAUGURAL DERBY POETRY FEST - Words by Jamie Morris - Photos by Laura Foulds Moody A trio of Black poets performed as the headlining The closing act, American poet Terrance Hayes, was acts at the city’s first annual spoken word festival. arguably the most anticipated of the night, having had his work featured in the likes of The New Yorker Acclaimed writers Terrence Hayes, Rachel Long and and The American Poetry Review – making this a rare Raymond Antrobus each read a selection of powerful opportunity to see one of the world’s most celebrated and unique poems before a packed-out audience at contemporary poets perform live in the UK. The room The Wardwick in the city centre. burst with applause as he took to the stage, and the guests left feeling inspired by a night of great poetry.

Derby Poetry Festival took place from 2-8 October at various venues around the city

Opening the night, Raymond Antrobus recited works relating to both heritage and fatherhood. The MBE recipient, who discovered he was deaf at the age of six, closed his set with a moving poem about his experiences about discovering the joys of teaching sign language to his son.

Although the second performer, Rachel Long, was sadly unable to attend the event in person due to illness, she was still able to share her creativity by recording a set via video to be screened to attendees on the day. Making the most of the situation, she delivered a series of intimate poems about past relationships – both romantic and familial – and entertained the audience with wry one-liners between recitals.

20 Health & Food

mojatu.com

BUSINESS OWNER INSPIRES DERBY YOUTH WITH JUGGLING AND TABLE TENNIS

- By Sophie Robinson

A Derby business is using juggling and table tennis workshops to inspire young people and help their mental health.

me - it was relaxing, it was challenging, and it was so rewarding when I managed to do the trick I was practising for so long.”

Andre Brevett, owner of Introverted Moves, launched the initiative in April of this year supported by a grant from The Prince’s Trust. He describes the purpose of the business as a culmination of the life that he has lived.

Andre also said that table tennis helped his mental health by giving him a purpose. He said: “I was very lost in life, I had no direction and didn’t know what to do. I felt worthless. I was getting up, but there was nothing I was getting up for. I didn’t take table tennis seriously. But when I learned that my uncle played, it planted a seed really. I took a leap of faith and decided to give it a go. I never looked back. It gave me a reason to get up in the morning and it gave me something to focus on.”

He said: “I’ve struggled with maintaining good mental health so I’m a huge advocate and want to spread some joy. I offer juggling and table tennis as a tool for mental health and mindfulness. These skills teach life principles like perseverance and discipline and they can help with ADHD and autism, but it’s also just for people who want to have fun.”

Andre works primarily with young people and families and is available for one-to-ones, but is also working towards finding a venue to do workshops with bigger groups of any age. Both juggling and table tennis have been a big part of his life, stemming from his time at primary school.

He said: “I remember watching a lady on the TV juggle. She started by throwing one up and down, then juggled two in one hand - which blew my mind - and then she juggled three. That stuck with me.”

Andre’s primary school teacher also juggled for the class, which made him believe that he could do it too. “First year of secondary school I decided to practise and learn to juggle. For two weeks I would throw oranges for 10 minutes before I went to bed and I was finally able to do it.”

From this point, Andre started to take juggling a lot more seriously.

He would teach kids every Sunday and then stay behind for two or three hours to practise new tricks.

He said: “It was like therapy for

At one point, Andre pulled a ligament in his right hand which meant he had to take time out from playing table tennis. He said this became a time of self-reflection for him. “There were a lot of things coming back to me, such as my lack of a father figure, blaming my mum for a lot of things - there were a lot of realisations that I came to. I felt useless because I couldn’t do anything, it affected my mental health quite a lot. I became a recluse. I couldn’t be bothered to go shopping and even personal hygiene was hard.

Everything was effort to me.”

However, Andre said his mum encouraged him to go to the club anyway, and the next day he decided to learn to play table tennis with his left hand instead.

He said: “It changed things completely.

It saved me from the depths of the sunken place, as I like to call it. It inspired some people as well, and I use it as a tool when I’m coaching.”

Andre had once wanted to compete in table tennis leagues, but after coaching a boy who won at a juniors tournament, he decided that helping others was his calling. He said: “When he won, my desire to compete completely disappeared and I felt better bringing other people to tournaments as opposed to playing myself.”

The name of Andre’s business is

Derby connected

Health & Food

21

rooted in his desire to keep bettering himself. He achieving now I can’t comprehend. I lacked a lot of said: “It started off as the Melanated Introvert. I am confidence when I was younger. I’m very proud of an introverted person by nature, and I’m melanated. where I am now.”

I wanted to incorporate that into everything I do.

Introverted Moves came from the idea that I’m introverted and I’m making moves, I’m going out there and doing things. I’m striving to be better. It also works on the level that a lot of introverts are misinterpreted to be shy or not confident. There’s the idea that they can’t do certain things like a speech in front of a room of people. That’s not true.”

More than anything, Andre says that movement, whether that’s through juggling or table tennis, is hugely important for mental health. He said: “There’s a lot of stigma around mental health and I want to be able to change people’s ideas around it. Things can improve. You can get out of it. It’s just a case of persevering and not giving up. A lot of the things I’m

22 Health & Food

mojatu.com

WILDLIFE TRUST PROJECT CONNECTS DERBY COMMUNITIES TO NATURE

- By Sophie Robinson

A campaign has been launched to put residents this community organising role. This approach is all of the inner city back in touch with their local about going out to communities and finding out wildlife. what they would like to see and supporting them in doing that.”

Nextdoor Nature is a UK-wide initiative by the Wildlife Trusts which gets communities involved Adam has been working closely with communities with nature in their area. The project began in July who may have less access to Wildlife Trust projects, of last year and is funded by £5 million from the such as ethnic minority and disabled groups. He National Lottery Heritage Fund in celebration of the said: “A big focus for us is about bringing nature to Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. communities that don’t usually access it as well as others do. In my role I have worked really closely with two Black groups in Derby – the Hadhari Project and Derby West Indian Community Association.

Both those projects have been great.”

The Hadhari Project is looking for funding to create a community garden, and the West Indian centre has created a social action project about nature and growing food. Adam said: “A big thing about working with minority communities is showing that climate change is not just a fight in the UK but it’s also a fight back home. We did work with the Pakistan Community Centre, and not long ago Pakistan had devastating floods which displaced millions of people. There are similar situations in the Caribbean. If you go to the Caribbean and speak to people, they’ll tell you that climate change is a real issue.”

Adam Dosunmu Slater, from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, is one of fifty community organisers for the project. He is working to reconnect people in Derby City with nature, particularly in the areas Normanton, Arboretum and Alvaston. He said: “It’s been a new approach for the Wildlife Trust having

One of Adam’s proudest moments during this project has been creating a green corridor between Normanton and Arboretum Park. The idea was to create pockets of green space which are beneficial for nature and the community. The first area they targeted was Society Place, which Adam said used to be a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and fly-

Derby connected

Health & Food

23

tipping. The Wildlife Trust decided to get children Adam highlighted how important it is for people at Arboretum Primary School involved by holding a in inner city areas to connect with nature for their design competition. well-being. “Nature is not only good for our physical health but also is brilliant for our mental health,” he Adam said: “The winning designs were put into said. “I would always encourage people to access place and now you can see fruit trees and planters. nature.”

It’s really made a big impact on the wildlife but also on the social issues which have been drastically reduced.The children said it made them feel really proud, especially the two children who had the winning designs. It’s nice to have young people involved because often they don’t get a chance to have ownership over their community.”

The next area on the green corridor is on Normanton Road where plants were dying and creating an eyesore for residents. Adam and the Wildlife Trust worked with the Pakistan Community Centre and Derby City Council to uplift the look of the area by creating a mural. They asked young people at the community centre to draw pictures which formed the main ideas for the mural, which was painted by the artist Todd Jerm.

Adam said: “It’s been brilliant to see people’s reactions. They were quite sad about this walkway.

It was all graffiti spray paint and now it’s a beautiful mural with a nice community message. It shows that with a little bit of effort and creativity that you can make these little changes and improve the area that you live in.”

Adam said his main goal with this project is to inspire others to do similar work where they live. He said: “We would like to see pockets of green space redeveloped across the UK and we hope projects like this can show people that they do have ownership over their community.”

mojatu.com

24 Arts & Culture

MEN CAN Look out for themselves Feel emotions Be happy Create a new norm Have a great life Recover

Tell their stories Seek help Be empower Beat anxiety Have a positive wellbeing

Men Can is a support group organised by the Mojatu Foundation. This group is aimed at bringing men together to chat about their mental health and wellbeing.

The session runs every fortnight, starting on the 11th of March 2023 Patrice@mojatu.com Mojatu.foundation

07511762550 01157846666 Mojatu.foundation

MojatuF

Derby connected

Business & Finance

25

ZAMBIAN CHARITY SHOP OWNER CAMPAIGNS TO OPEN SCHOOLS AND CLINICS BACK HOME - By Jamie Morris Community stalwart Edah Lupambo shares the supply those in need back home with essentials. fascinating story behind her Aid For Africa project The business quickly took off and became not just a – and how the inspiration came to her in a dream. lifeline for people in Africa, but something of an allpurpose community hub for Derby locals, too. “We’ve Go down St Thomas Road in Normanton early been so blessed with this place and the community enough in the morning, and chances are you’ll spot has been amazing,” she says. “What started as a shop someone setting up an eclectic mixture of items has become like a job centre, an estate agents, a play in front of her shop, from pushchairs to framed centre and a place for prayer.” artwork. Edah Lupambo has done this nearly every morning for the past five years, with the joint aims Edah runs the shop almost entirely on her own, of supporting people both locally and in her birth which was particularly challenging when she was country of Zambia. informed that the warehouse she once used for stock was set to close within two weeks, resulting in Edah’s charity shop, Aid For Africa, all began with her losing around forty tonnes of items. “But it didn’t the desire to help just one person – a mission she put me off – I just kept going,” she says with a smile. says came to her in a dream. “One of my friends from “The community is still blessing me with donation primary school back home had died, but I didn’t after donation.” know about it at the time,” she tells us. “I had a dream that he was telling me to help him, because he was Currently, Edah’s main objective is to raise the money leaving his disabled child behind.” and resources needed to open more schools and clinics in Zambia, as a lack of accessibility means that Upon waking up and discovering that there was in people in rural areas may have to walk for up to six fact truth to her dream, Edah found a wheelchair for hours to reach the nearest one. She lists wheelchairs, her late friend’s son and made the journey back to Zimmer frames, medical equipment and incubators Zambia to give it to him. “It was a wonderful smile for babies as the most helpful donations people and we saw on his face,” she says. “I thought, ‘This feels organisations can give. good. We have to continue doing this, because I can see there are more people like him.’”

“Last time I was there, we visited a maternity ward, and I cried when I saw how the babies were being Edah spread the word about her new charitable kept, such as putting containers of hot water around project to friends at her local church, and was them just to make them grow,” she recalls. “We are soon surprised to receive an entire home’s worth really praying that we get that support.” of donations from someone who’s mother had just passed away. “We got so much donated in one go, Supporting people back home has also helped Edah and I had to stock everything in my house,” she says. to learn more about herself. “When I came here aged “There was no space to walk – it was everywhere, 14, I barely knew what Zambia was. I didn’t even upstairs and downstairs.” know my own culture,” she explains. “But when I started this charity work, everything opened up for Rather than paying for the shipping to send all of me to know who I am and where I come from – and the items to Zambia, Edah had the idea to open a who needs help there.” charity shop in 2018 so she could raise money to

26 Business & Finance

mojatu.com

ZIMBABWEAN INNOVATOR UNRAVELS HER MISSION TO SUCCESS AFTER OPENING NEW SALON - By Tristan Best We interview the elegant Empress Revolution CEO Rufaro Hwindingwi for an exclusive insight into the life of the modern-day female entrepreneur.

Rufaro has incorporated a line of specialist brow treatments to her services too, such as brow wax, shape ups and henna brow tints. The cosmetic expert also has a popular vegan and cruelty free lip gloss line that she has been selling for the last Rufaro, the 23-year-old makeup artist from Mutare, four years. The luxurious lip-gloss comes with its Zimbabwe has an intense passion for cosmetics own light and mirror, so the users can stay topped and customer satisfaction, with major experience up at any time with the utmost convenience. in makeup for events such as weddings and prom nights. The enthusiastic individual has been doing Back in August, Empress Revolution hosted its first makeup professionally for seven years, learning a official event, the brilliant Business Brunch. Hosted wide range of techniques and perfecting them in at Spondon Village Hall, it was a similarly massive the process. accomplishment for Rufaro, as it was a huge job putting everything together. She explains that Growing up in Slough and Derby respectively, the build up to the event was nerve-wracking to Rufaro has grown up in vast communities with say the least, as guest speakers pulled out at the multiple cultural and ethnic groups. Doing so last minute, tickets initially weren’t selling and the allowed her to work and practice on different skin venuess were nearly impossible to book for the types over the years, giving her a much broader date. At one point, she doubted that it would even understanding in general. Empress Revolution happen – but with great persistence and faith, it has no boundaries and aims to encourage the happened, and many sophisticated members working class woman to look and feel their very of the community joined together to celebrate best, especially when inspired by such luxury.

Rufaro’s journey.

Rufaro confidently stated: “The only responses The event was held with taste and elegance, I’ve received from my clients are, ‘Oh my gosh, perfectly displaying admiration for the hostess it’s beautiful, I love it.’” She works with the clients and her massive achievement of staying – or to give them the look that they want, with no rather, ‘slaying’ – in business for so long. The corners cut and only the finest luxury products night included insightful lectures that were given and services available on demand. Rufaro offers by special guests regarding their businesses, pampering sessions, skin care consultations and including sharing their many ups and downs and routines, and is open to all people with no specific elaborating on business strategies and tactics target audience – just the working class woman – the do’s and don’ts. They clarified the steps at inspired by luxury. the start, such as seeking guidance, knowledge, On 11 November 2023, Empress Revolution opened its Derby City Centre salon – Rufaro’s biggest achievement to date. This marks the start of a new chapter for her, as the salon is located right on the high street, encouraging more people to walk in and interact with the business. With the increase of footfall in the salon, the business looks to take on more specialists to hire out the chairs.

Rufaro looks to be as inclusive and pro-active as possible, and intends to join up with other perfectionists, such as nail technicians and hair stylists to increase the clientele as more services become available.

officiation and also business and legal consultancy, which all helps a budding entrepreneur flow into the stream of business and innovation.

The classy event included a wide variety of stalls and also a phenomenal food display made fresh from scratch by Art Food Kitchen – owned by another excellent female innovator Marta Knapek.

The entertainment and engagement was at its peak, and the environment was welcoming and emphasised togetherness in the Derby business community. It was also great for networking, as many talented like-minded individuals had joined together to work on more projects in the near Along with her renowned makeup procedures, future.

Derby connected Rufaro surprised the audience with an announcement in which she unveiled her new joint organisation at the well-attended business brunch, which was named, ‘My Sisters Wealth Org’. She said: “The organisation aims to help ignite the passion in entrepreneurs and empower business owners – especially in the startup stage – through our events, workshops, members club and business mentoring.” Bear in mind this has taken years of planning, preparation and consideration – almost seven years, in fact.

The event received multiple positive and encouraging reviews, and the people who attended have already insisted on having another Empress Revolution Business Brunch next year as it was such a raging success.

“Empress Revolution’s pledge is to redefine beauty standards, and to provide a safe place where every woman feels represented and celebrated, but our commitment to women’s empowerment extends beyond our product line,” Rufaro said. “We believe true empowerment comes from education, support and fostering a sense of belonging.”

Business & Finance

27

Photo by Iyisha Williams

28 Education & Career

mojatu.com

UNIVERSITY OF DERBY CELEBRATES LOCAL SISTERS FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH - By Sophie Robinson

The University of Derby hosted two inspirational local Black women at their Saluting our Local Sisters event to celebrate their achievements in honour of Black History Month.

The university’s co-chair of the Race Equality Network, Catherine Jean-Baptiste, presented the talk with Professor Laura Serrant OBE and Dr Cath Williams to share their personal and professional journeys.

Laura Serrant is a leader in healthcare and received an OBE in 2018 for her work in nursing and health policy. She was named as the eighth most influential Black person in the UK in 2017 and she wrote the poem ‘You Called…and We Came’ which appears alongside the statue at Waterloo Station which was created to commemorate the Windrush generation.

Cath Williams’ expertise is in the areas of advocacy, child protection, and community education. She was a social worker before she went into academic work, particularly focusing on amplifying the voices of disabled and marginalised children. Cath’s current research looks into the Windrush story and the

separation of Caribbean families.

To begin the event, Catherine set the scene by decorating the room with wall hangings, a table cloth, a rug, a bottle of dark rum, and a pineappleshaped ice cube holder, which she said ‘completes’ the atmosphere of a Caribbean home.

Both Laura and Cath shared the importance of home and family in inspiring them through their lives. As a child of the Windrush generation, Laura felt there was a push from her family for her to achieve, but that there was also a recognition that everyone was good at different things. “We all have different strengths and equity is not about making everyone the same.” She said that her family pushed her to be the best at what she did, regardless of what that was.

Cath mentioned her mother as her biggest source of inspiration, explaining that her drive, ambition and purpose were what kept Cath going. She said: “She was part of the Windrush generation. She had an unusual life because she was a single mother of 12 children. We didn’t need anyone else as we were such a big family – we played together and went to

Derby connected school together.”

Cath spoke of her experience of growing up in an environment where women were encouraged to express their opinions and debate with one another.

She explained that the safety of expressing her voice in the home environment gave her the confidence to be opinionated and political outside of it.

Both Laura and Cath also expressed their love for education at an early age. Laura said: “I loved learning and school because I was good at it. I was a very inquisitive child.” She recalled taking six books from the school library each week and being particularly impacted by George Orwell’s Animal Farm.

Reading this book made Laura realise how poverty was impacting her childhood. She said: “Poverty was part of my world but I never knew we were poor. I just didn’t know it at the time because we were all equally poor. I realised that poverty had a larger impact on my upbringing than being Black.”

Cath described how her education inspired her love of writing and teaching. She said: “When I got over the shock of getting to university I realised I was good at it, especially for a working class girl.”

She explained that her socialist upbringing and strong beliefs about equality made her want to work in a field where she could make a difference. Cath said her PhD is her biggest achievement, saying: “It was a real journey in terms of imposter syndrome and being in that academic space.”

Education & Career

29

Her PhD focuses on the Windrush story and particularly the separation of children from their parents. She said: “We know the Windrush story but we don’t know the sacrifice. They left behind children and when they did come back together, the relationship wasn’t always the best. They were strangers. The Windrush story is more complex than we ever understood.”

Laura said her biggest achievement was receiving her OBE because it represented more than just her hard work. She said: “It is a representation for all the people in my family who never got the chance to be in that space.”

Laura describes her new book, Stories from my Mother’s House, as a semi-autobiographical “telling and retelling” of stories from her childhood home.

The book is a collection of poems which take the reader through the rooms of Laura’s childhood house in Nottingham.

She said: “The book is about what the house meant and what it symbolises. Each chapter symbolises what that room is about. The last chapter is about the hallway because I left through that front door to go to university and I never again lived in that house.”

Laura concluded by saying that her book has stimulated conversations between readers and their own mothers and grandmothers about the impact that migration had on their families.

mojatu.com

30 News & Sports

Access quality, affordable & timely design & print services, email, website, cloud-storage, training & other online & digital marketing, resources & services from our experienced team. We help you grow your business with an improved & up-to-date digitalisation which integrates your emails, data storage & marketing strategy.

I

G RE

R

E ST

6

5 94

9 4 3

9

3 07

ENGLISH WITH DIGITAL SKILLS

Lessons Include:

OTHER SUPPORT • • • • • •

Company Formation Bank account opening Accounts solutions Admin Support Training Programs Funding Support

Where

Howitt Building, Listening, Reading & Writing Skills Jobs, Banking & Health Online Lenton, , NG7 2BG Using Computers & Devices Burrows Court, Vocabulary & Grammar Unit 6, Howitt Bldg, Lenton Blvd, Lenton, NottinghamNG3 NG7 2BY Carlton, 2AE Online & Internet Skills +44 115 7846 666 | info@mojatumedia.com

FREE Internet Data & Phone Credit Offered Howitt Building, Lenton Blvd, Nottingham, NG7 2BG

Other Venues To Be Confirmed Admin@kutambua.com

www.mojatufoundation.org

Derby connected News & & Sports Sports Nottingham connected News Female Genital Mutilation

FGM – FACTS , HELP & ACTIONS

31 43

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. • 103,000 women aged15 to 49 are living with consequences of FGM in England & Wales.

• In the UK, an estimated 20,000 girls under the age of 15 are at risk of FGM each year.

• 1,230 cases have been reported in the Midlands from April 2020 to March 2021 Taking Th

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 of 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 Free Sessions: Refugee • Drop in sessions at Mojatu Office Unit 7, Howitt Bldg, Lenton Blvd, Lenton, Nott`s NG7 2BY Free Refugees & Asylum Seeker Sessions: • Call 0808 028 350 for a 24/7 anonymous FGM helpline or email: fgmhelp@nspcc.org.uk Tuesdays Seekers Welcome Sessions: • Call Nottingham City Council Children and Families Direct: 0115 876 4800 Tuesdays Saturdays • Ring the police on 999 if FGM has just happened or about to happen Tuesdays Saturdays ADOP Activities include: Saturdays ADOPT A TREE include:Fruit Harvesting Actions Activities Tree Management Fruit Harvesting Activities include: To help end FGM and support survivors, join one of our campaigns or projects Fruit Harvesting Tree ManagementWeeding for Pumpkins • FGM Survivors Club • Volunteer with us Feeding the animals Weeding for Pumpkins & Maize Tree Management Form • FGM Steering Group • ‘Adopt a tree’ project Feeding the animals Weeding for Pumpkins & Maize Form online @https://go • FGM Global Faith Ambassador • Donate to support our work animals to support https://goo.gl/WyH • FGM Global Young Ambassador Feeding •the Fundraise our work land 9sz

Woodgement nd a l d o o W gement ManeassionEDIBL s Ec d n a S WOODLA l d 18Farm, Screv ‘ s p Woo gement MaSneassionEDIBLE e S Ecocentre, Home r Ap www.farmeco.

WOODLAND ana ionFoundation For more information, contactM Mojatu ‘18 Farm, Screveton, s SepHome Ecocentre, NG13 8JL r s p s e A S https://goo.g 8 Phone: 01158457009 Mobile: 07759 e927671 1 ‘ Mojatu Foundatio p www.farmeco.co.uk S Apr• Request for training

• Women Skillshare Group

T: 0115|784 | M: Ro 07 Email: info@mojatufoundation.org | Website: www.mojatufoundation.org https://goo.gl/pEK1AC Mojatu Foundation 1676666 Alfreton

T: 0115 |784 | M: 0751 366 Mojatu Foundation 1676666 Alfreton Road, NG71176 3JR | E: ang @mojatu.foundation T: 0115 784 6666 | M: 0751 366 1176 | E: angela@mojatu.com @mojatu.foundation @ mojatuf @ @mojatu.foundation

@ mojatuf

@mojatu_foundation

FYA MEDIA LITERACY

Training Programme

Training Course Details Know about the ‘media’

Interrogate m media Mainstrea people’s and young s of it o percepti n

Know about the social media

Learn about online Radio as a broadcast media

Distinguish between ‘fake ’ and ‘real’ content in media

Explore M edia as a means o f income generatio n

Basics of Media Law

Howitt Building, Lenton Blvd, Nottingham, NG7 2BY

For more information, contact Edrissa at: info@fyaonline.com or Tel: +44 794 080 1390 Office line: 0115 784 6666