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/
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/
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