OUR LAUNCH PARTY 2013
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Has part of the Black History Month we hosted a Family Fun Day Fundrasier and Launch party on 28th October 2013 at the African Community Centre, Abbey Woods.
It was our aim to create an atmosphere of cultural celebration where we could share and promote knowledge of African and Caribbean culture with our community. We hoped to put on a display of African tradition at its best and enable the children to learn lots of interesting things about African culture whilst taking part in the celebration. We wanted the event to be inclusive to all and allow the entire community to enjoy the fun with us.
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Has everyone arrived dressed in traditional clothing they filled the venue with a feast of colour. They were welcomed into the venue which was set up with an array of exhibits, stalls and activities for both the children and adults to take part in. The children took part in a variety of activities including cup cake decorating, face painting, and work shops and a whole lot more. They made African masks and beaded jewellery while learning about their cultural significance and were able to repot back to their parents what they had learnt whilst showcasing their work. The younger children sat in our reading corner and read books and played with toys while the Mums were treated to pamper sessions of pedicures and massages.
We started the event of with a family forum which included a fantastic line up of keynote speakers; Deputy Mayor of Lambeth Councillor Adedamola Aminu, Founder of Parents of Black UK Pupils (PBUP) and editor of ten2teen Magazine Phinnah Chichi Ikeji, CEO of Spirit of Change, a Magistrate and parent governor trainer Maureen Laudette, Nia Imara founder of NABSS and Ayo Osinubi founder of Barakah a women empowerment group. Speakers spoke on ways in which parents can become actively involved in their children’s education, opportunities for assistance in their childs educational development and exposure, how they can support and encourage them to achieve and ways in which they can ensure their children become successful young adults.
We had an array of cultural treats for all those who attended ranging from storytelling and traditional African drumming by His Royal Majesty Usifu Jolloh and the children all took part in a drama, dance and singing workshop hosted by His Royal Majesty Ayan De First Talking Drummers. The Koseunti Church childrens group gave us a show stopping performance of African drumming and cultural dancing which had everyone on their feet singing and dancing along and DJ Kashif Da Flash gave us a great selection of Afro beats to party to.
We enjoyed authentic homemade Afro Caribbean food from caterers Sophie's Kitchen and were supported by local Afro Caribbean businesses Abicious Entertainment, Abianname A3 Cakes, Continental cash and carry, Heavenly Events, Mercy Beauty, Kenny Exotic Fruit Palm Trees, and Ethniccity. Media coverage was provided by Olamint Media Production and Evie M Photography. We hasd an assortment of fun games, competitions, an auction, prize giveaways and raffles. All in all it was a fun day had by all.