r e t t e l N ew s www.aawaz.co.uk
Jan/Feb 2013
aawazlancashire@tiscali.co.uk
Christmas H a m p e rs
The Model Student! Young AAWAZ’s Mwitumwa makes the final of Bliss Magazine’s national modelling competition
Aaminah Ahmed delivers a hamper to Mrs Edwards.
After the success of last year’s Christmas campaign, we once again collected items of food and toiletries and managed to prepare 32 hampers which we delivered to elderly residents in Hyndburn. Delivering the hampers was a moving experience; many of the residents lived on their own and had no family or friends to help them. Christmas and Eid celebrations are important times when we should be thinking about people less fortunate than ourselves and to appreciate how lucky we are. We received letters of thanks from some of the residents and their families, including this one: “Thank you very much for the food hamper that was delivered to my father on Tuesday. “He is absolutely delighted with its contents and the fact that the children took the trouble to give it to him and wish him a Merry Christmas. “Dad will be 90 years old on the 11th April and this has made his Christmas very, very special - Once again thank you so much.”
Young Aawaz member Mwitumwa Mukelabai has always had a keen interest in fashion and was one of our members that modelled in our annual fashion show. She enjoyed the experience and it gave her the confidence to try to achieve her goal of becoming a professional model. With our help and support Mwitumwa entered into a national modelling competition sponsored by Bliss magazine. Hundreds of young women from across the county applied for the competition and after months of waiting, Mwitumwa was eventually told that she had been shortlisted and was invited to London for a professional photo shoot and the competition final. She finished in third place in the national competition and was featured December’s edition of the magazine along with the other finalists. She had an amazing experience and is keen to continue with her ambition to become a professional model. Mwitumwa said: “I had an amazing time in London, the photo shoot was very exciting and I was proud to have been selected as a finalist considering the number of girls that applied, I am more determined than ever to continue to achieve my goal.”
Zarah Hussain - aged 15 Mwitumwa on her Bliss Mag fashion shoot!
Keep up to date with all the latest
Young AAWAZ news and activities online via our Facebook & Twitter pages! facebook.com/young.aawaz twitter.com/youngaawaz
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We will be hosting our annual fashion show on Wednesday 6th March, if you are a budding designer, or wish to a model please contact Aawaz on 01254 398176 for further details.
Yo u n g C a re rs As a young carer I spend most of my time looking after my elderly parents. I used to get frustrated because I didn’t have the time to do things for myself and socialise with my friends. Over the past few weeks I have participated in the ‘Young Carers Can... Make Time For Themselves’ project.
This has given me the chance to learn about being healthy and active and how important it is that I take time out of my busy schedule to look after myself. After the group had completed all the healthy lifestyle classes we were rewarded with a pamper day at The Seasons salon in Accrington. It was an amazing reward and we all had a fantastic time. The whole project has made me realise that I can make time for myself and being happy, healthy and fit makes me more able to help and support the people in my care. Nadia Ahmed aged 17
Announcements Shoe Box Appeal In partnership with Church & Oswaldtwistle Rotary Club we are collecting items to make up shoe boxes for girls and boys living in orphanages in Eastern Europe. In most cases the children have never received a present so these boxes will be a huge treat for them. We are collecting, small toys, toiletries, notebooks, coloured pencils and any new items that children and young people of all ages would enjoy receiving. Once the items are collecting we will sort them into the appropriate age and gender. When the boxes are ready we intend visiting the International Aid warehouse to help load the lorries up ready for delivery to Eastern Europe. Careers Help and Support Need help completing CVs, application forms for colleges/universities or job applications? Why not come to one of our drop in sessions at AAWAZ from 3-9pm every Thursday evening where you will receive one-to-one help completing application forms and advice and guidance in all areas of careers and tips on successful job hunting. For more details or to book an appointment please contact Robina on 01254 398176.
aawazlancashire@tiscali.co.uk
Eid Cele b rat i o n s
Asma (above) and Zarafshan
(below) To mark the end of the third year of Young Aawaz we organised a huge Eid party. Over 100 young people attended the event which included DJ sets from Rythem 7, party games and refreshments freshly made by our members. The evening was fantastic fun and a reward for all our hard work ensuring that the project is a success. Ania Hussian aged 19