African Challenge Scotland Week
A week of events to celebrate African culture with the people of North Glasgow has been deemed a great success by those who attended.
The all-inclusive week of events kicked off with an education debate at ng homes’ Saracen House with guest speakers: John Mason MSP, member of the Scottish Parliament’s Equal Opportunities Committee, Lawyer Vanessa Fletcher and Sharma Samir from Glasgow City Council’s Education Services and Chaired by George Tah Meh. After the speakers Africans living in Glasgow had the chance to voice their concerns about the education of their children to the knowledgeable panel.
John Mason MSP said: “It was very encouraging to see the African community coming together and engaging with politicians and others in this way.”
Mother of three, Paulette Sobze, said: “It was a very interesting session. I was pleased to receive answers to my questions regarding the education system in Scotland. It was a good event and I would like to congratulate African Challenge Scotland for organising this.”
Bob Doris, MSP for Glasgow and Deputy Convenor of the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee, played his part in supporting African Challenge Scotland.
He brought a team of MPs and Councillors to Springburn to play in a friendly football match against veteran African footballers at Petershill Park.
A football and handball tournament was one of the final events of the week-long activities. The eventual victors of the football event was Team Somalia who defeated a team from Fire Scotland in the final.
Bob’s team of politicians achieved a 2-2 draw in a friendly against the veteran African side, a game played in good spirits throughout. Bob was joined on the day by MPs Stuart McDonald and Gavin Newlands and Councillors Graeme Hendry and Franny Scally. Bob said: “I was delighted to be asked to provide a team for a good natured friendly football game.
“It was just a bit of fun but it also provided an excellent opportunity to bring communities together. “I was also pleased in particular to be able to show some of my new MP colleagues from outwith Glasgow some of the excellent inter-community work that is taking place in the north of the city. “I know both African Challenge Scotland and local housing provider ng homes have been working closely over the last few months on various community initiatives and their efforts are making a real difference.
“I commend African Challenge Scotland and their funding partners for supporting a week-long programme of activities. It was wonderful to see so many local families supporting the event and having a great time. I have no doubt the event will go from strength to strength.”
The following day a Heritage Workshop took place which showcased the best of African culture with food classes, dress displays, hairstyle workshops as well as a whole host of information about community groups, agencies, services and opportunities available in the area.
Springburn Sports Centre was the scene for the children’s sports fun day with African and Scottish children having fun and taking part in football, handball, table tennis, wrestling, gymnastics and lots more.
The week long programme culminated in a Sports and Cultural day at Petershill Park with football and handball competitions, live music and a whole host of advice from business start-up to nutritional information with the ng homes’ smoothie bike proving ever popular with those attending. There was also a gala football match where MSPs/ MPs faced a veteran African side. The winners of this year’s men’s football tournament were the Somali Community and United Glasgow FC won the women’s event. The handball tournament was won by African Challenge Scotland’s Youth girls team. The events were supported by BIG Lottery Funding, ng homes, ng2, Bemis and Year of Food and Drink Scotland 2015, Glasgow City Building, TSB, RNIB, CRER, Fire Scotland, Police Scotland, Waverley Care, Terrence Higgins Trust, Wheatley Group, Glasgow Life, Scottish Handball Association, Atelier Ten, Clancy Consulting, DRM Consulting Engineers, Murray Russell Architects, Arka Design Studio, Glasgow Council on Alcohol, Community Info Sources, Radiant and Brighter, Andescot, North Glasgow Integration Network, Ewing Somerville Partnership Ltd and Black Diamond Design.
Father of three Lambert Iku, said: “The event was able to bring Africans in Scotland together and also bring awareness of the opportunities we have here in Scotland. It was filled with happy moments.”
Dionne Paul said: “I enjoyed the sport activities on the day with other Ethnic Minorities youths.”
Micheal Matovu, said: “It was great to see people from different parts of Africa coming together to learn but also integrate in the community.”
Regeneration Manager for ng homes Margaret Layden said: “It has been really impressive to see such a diverse programme put together by African Challenge Scotland for the week long activities. We look forward to working in partnership with them to bring further opportunities to our customers.”
Linda Hunter, GHA/Wheatley Group, said: “This vibrant and enjoyable event was a great opportunity to engage with our customers.”
Ronier Deumeni, Founder African Challenge Scotland said: “ The Empowerment of the Black and Ethnic Minorities week 2015 in Glasgow was the second edition for African Challenge Scotland annual event. African Challenge Scotland seek to be in an appropriate position to equitably respond to both the direct needs of our diverse communities but also to work in conjunction with key service providers with whom we are best placed to inform an approach relevant to our communities and in line with the Public Sector Equality Duties.”
Anyone wishing to find out more about the work of African Challenge Scotland should contact:
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.africanchallengescotland.co.uk
“It was great to see people from different parts of Africa coming together to learn but also integrate in the community...”
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