Afar Community in U.K. assesses needs
Posted to the web July 10, 2004

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An Afar woman in a wedding costume

Afar Community Association in the UK held its first meeting on May 30, 2004, at Praxis, in Bethnal Green in Tower Hamlets. The purpose of the meeting was to consult members of the community to establish their needs. The Management Committee of the Afar Community Association warmly welcomed the participants who came from different Boroughs of London. It has been said that unexpected numbers of people have been attended the meeting. The MC of the ACA explained the objectives, membership procedures, rights and duties and the advantages of having Association in UK to the participants.

Community Needs

Among the needs identified by participants was a centre/ a suitable community office in order to provide the free supply of advocacy, advice and information for the community; to encourage the holding of social, educational, cultural, publicity and awareness days or events for the purpose for promotion of Afar families, community socialisation; to strengthen natural kinship relations amongst Afar community and to help raise awareness of Afar community in the UK; to organise English, Math and Afar Language classes; to coordinate seminars and conferences and to arrange career advice workshop to equip community member with necessary skills and qualification in order to improve their living conditions.

Recommendation

The participants have recommended the ACA to work closely with statutory institutions, voluntary sectors and NGOs in general at national level and with Tower Hamlets at local level, in particular to develop the exchange of information, advice and experience with them in order to facilitate the needs of the Afar community in the UK.

Expressions

Mrs. Kadiga Houssein said, “The meeting was characterised by a sense of learning, skills-sharing and achievement. The participants had a chance to discuss their social, cultural and community needs in democratic environment she added”. The participants have been encouraged by the Management Committee to participate in and to be involved with community activities to enhance the objectives of the ACA. Mr. Houmed Mohamed Abro described the meeting as a “fantastic opportunity for the Afar”. “It will allow the members to have a single voice and to be able to discuss their needs satisfactorily he added”. Miss. Halima Ali said that the meeting was wonderful, as it was conducted on friendly environment”.

The Afar community living in the UK “tend to be extremely disadvantaged due to the social and cultural barriers and due to having no organisation to specifically focus on their needs. Today’s meeting will help us to identify the social and cultural isolations, which are facing Afar community in the UK, said Mr Mohamed Omar (Merito). Meanwhile, an excellent afar folkdance and Dinkara Music followed the meeting. The participant had great time and enjoyed with lovely music and Afar traditional folk dance at the end of the meeting. Waawow, it was jolly and enjoyable meeting said one participant.

We would like to take this opportunity to convey our gratitude to Dr. Mike Mills, Prof. Chris Dixon and Mr Phil Jones at the London Metropolitan University, Ms. Ibi Heinanen, Ms. Mya Gordon at the Community Organisation Forum of Tower Hamlets, Mr. Samuel O. Ayulolomon Advice & Advocacy Worker at Diaspora, Mrs. Aicha Houssein, Mohamed Hassan, Ibrahim Ahmed, Kamil Robleh, Ahmed Shehem and Houmed M. Ali who are members of the ACA, for their practical support and participation in the ACA activities. Special thanks go to the Bridge House Trust and Community Forum Organisation of Tower Hamlets for their extensive support and advice, which have been given us to establish the ACA in the UK and to organise this meeting as well.

AFAR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION IN UK
P.O. Box 43269. London E14 7WL
Telephone & Fax: 44 (0) 207790 6046
E-mail: [email protected]