The past weekend was quite an exciting one for me! Besides going to see Nelly in concert on Sunday (front row screaming session) I also got the grand opportunity to volunteer at the Beeston Festival in Leeds on Saturday an event organised by and for the local people which was something new for me  and very exciting. It had been running for the last 6 years. I have to say I was highly impressed at how close knit this community is! Everyone seemed to know everyone, their children go to the same schools, the weather is good and we even got some sun, it was fantastic!

The Festival began at 12:00 noon with a parade procession at 11:30 and so volunteers came in earlier to help with the set up. There were several stalls from locals selling everything, from food to clothes ,kiddies toys , everything! They were in early to put everything up with a few volunteers helping. The organisers of the festival also had a few stalls with volunteers manning them on rotation to raise some money to cover some of the costs of the festival.

As mentioned, there was a parade made up of 4 kids group who had made their own little costumes which was so cute! I was one of the marshals who stood on either side of one of the groups as they marched and danced along to the music and the Dohl drummers which ended at the main stage for the event to be officially opened by the Children’s Lord Mayor of Leeds. There were clowns too Izzo and Malteza better known as the Rapide Brothers to get the mood going and I had to get a photo!

The sun came up and I had a bit of a sit down to watch the Songo drumming project who play African tunes. It was really good fun!

I then took some time as I walked around checking if any help was needed anywhere  an to also meet a few people at the stalls and around and talk to them about Face of Kenya and my chosen charity.

One volunteer saw me during the procession and said "habari, uko salama?" trans. Hi, are you fine? I had to find him after!!and asked if he was from Kenya, his response was to lead me to a stall to meet his father who, was from Kenya!

We had a great chat and he introduced me to his wife as well. He is from Eldoret and his wife from Kericho and had gone to school there. I even carried out a little interview in Swahili!

It was nice to meet other young people in the community who were there promoting various causes. Like this group from Inkwell who were raising money  for their new youth project the Takeover cafe,

There was also a group that was creating awareness on the situation of migrants form Syria stuck in boats . They were collecting various items that could be used in the camps to help the situation. It's great to see young people take up such noble causes and want to make a difference by influencing others to do the same.

I met a fellow volunteer who had been to climb the Kilimanjaro in the early 90's, I sort of feel bad for not having done that in my years as a girl scout and ranger...But its never too late!! It was good to just hear if someone else's experience in Kenya and a positive one at that!

One of the community religious leaders that I got to talk to was just back from Palestine and had some of the most interesting stories to tell about his trip there. I loved being able to just chat with people and learn a bit here and there while I shared a bit about my own experiences back home and here.

The event ended at 5 p.m and the volunteers stayed back to clear out the rubbish in the park and such. We then got loads of pizza and you can tell how pleased I was from this photo!!

All in all it was a great day and all for a worthy cause. I was happy to have contributed in my own little way.

Thanks for reading as always , I highly appreciate.

Voting is still and in case you still haven't cast your vote , I will really appreciate a vote for me as this years Face of Kenya, UK. (PLEASE DO FEEL FREE TO SHARE THE BELOW LINK)

I am also still collecting funds for my chosen charity - Imara international, In case you would like to contribute through a different means do get in touch and we can look into that .


http://www.faceofkenyauk.org/voting.html  - Thanks for voting!!
 https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/emma-mugi-turkington  - Just giving fundraising
http://imarainternational.org/our-story/#.VysGrk32Zkg  - IMARA INTERNATIONAL - MY CHARITY OF CHOICE

cc. Some photo credits go to Paul Bullivant https://beestonfestival.org.uk/2016/06/05/2016-festival-in-photos/

The Celebration of Africa Event in Leeds on the 28th of May a subsequent of Africa day that was on the 25th of May was a great event that saw Africans in diaspora from different countries come together to share, encourage , empower , network and support each other . It was a wonderful event with the various speakers emphasising the need for people to support others in their projects as opposed to pulling each other down

If all began with a word of prayer , which was followed with a bit of history on the African Union. The involvement of Africans in the diaspora and allow them to voice their opinions and offer suggestion in matters that affect the motherland is a great inclusion . I have always thought the fact that one had moved away from their home country didn't make them less of an African and therefore their opinion does count because at the end of the day , the aim is one .

There were speeches from various country representatives (below is Jane Kariuki the Kenyan representative) and then some entertainment (rainbow dancers below) . The artist RDC soldier (a former child soldier in DRC ) was also in attendance to perform .

 I was obviously in attendance flying that Kenyan flag and representing Face of Kenya . Setting up and preparing for the day.. and i even had a helper! :-)

It was a good platform to make people aware of what it was about and what the objective of the forum was.

I had baked some cake the day before  because well...it's cake! No reason is needed. 😊.And I had a few sweets on the stall as well ( though the kids in attendance might have over indulged an got a bit hyper -apologies ) but it was impossible to say no to their little faces sweetly asking please..and most of them ended up bringing their parents to the stall as well which was a bonus for my charity tin!!!

I incorporated a little competition which was supported by Jenny's Jerk Chicken - currently at Trinity Kitchen - they serve amazing carribean food by the way so do feel free to make a stop over ! The owner (Jenny- lovely lovely girl) was happy to advertise the event and my charity which was great  as well !

So back to the competition , it involved finding the hidden 'treasure' - in this case a carribean meal at Jenny's Jerk - . The 'treasure was hidden somewhere in the 47 counties of Kenya ..I had made it easier by only covering half of them so they had about 23 counties to pick from .

This was entered after a donation of any amount ( remember every little helps) We had two very happy winners at the end of the day after several attempts by others ( they got sweets and cake as a consolation regardless) and a chance to vote for me 😊

There was a stall besides me with lovely african skirts and bags. All the skirts were sold by the end of the day which was great! It was nice to see people support others business . And they were really nice as well . I didn't go back with any cake either which was great and would love to give a huge cite of thanks to the organisers of the event for the opportunity to be able to promote Kenya , Face of Kenya as well as make people aware of the work of Imara International.

It was enlightening as well and I enjoyed meeting my countrymen and even hearing some of the ladies speak in Kikuyu got me very excited!!! I missed my mother !I am no doubt looking forward to the next one ! Hopefully we can have more events that will also be inclusive of young people as in future they will be the ones to carry on the tradition .

Thanks for reading as always , I highly appreciate.

Voting is still open and closes on the 5th of June - in case you still haven't cast your vote , I will really appreciate a vote for me as this years Face of Kenya, UK. (PLEASE DO FEEL FREE TO SHARE THE BELOW LINK)

I am also still collecting funds for my chosen charity - Imara international, In case you would like to contribute through a different means do get in touch and we can look into that .


http://www.faceofkenyauk.org/voting.html  - Thanks for voting!!
 https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/emma-mugi-turkington  - Just giving fundraising
http://imarainternational.org/our-story/#.VysGrk32Zkg  - IMARA INTERNATIONAL - MY CHARITY OF CHOICE


P.S I will be volunteering at the Beeston Festival this coming weekend - 4th June  and they will be having a Carnival procession with a Brazilian theme ( in line with the Olympics in Brazil this year). You do not want to miss this !  https://beestonfestival.org.uk/