MDC Leicester July Meeting

The Leicester branch of the Zimbabwe Association meets every fortnight in the city at the Methodist Church in Bishop Street to assist Zimbabweans with humanitarian aid and sign-posting those in need to relevant organisations like The British Red Cross and others.

The ZA is a non-partisan support group for Zimbabwean asylum seekers and refugees in the United Kingdom. The group works to ensure Zimbabwean asylum seekers have access to fair legal representation and accurate information throughout the asylum process.

Below are minutes of the meeting held on 09 July 2010:

Present were:

Pelagia Zigangwe (Hungwe); Makaza Chizinga; Tawanda Machakaire; Ethel Maloba, Lindiwe Maphosa, Irene Masenza, Hilda Gwesele, Clara Muyengwa, Mrs. Mhembere, Martha Mupepura, Ndabezinhle Moyo, Eva Gladys Mapara, George Mapara, Joyce Chikondano, Tichaona Govha, Dorcas Ndhlovu, Tambudzai Chikwanha, Newton Chikwanha, Fadzai M Chikwanha, Angeline Chirunga, Martha Matowa, Elina Hukuimwe, Wendy Kasenza, Shella Ngorima, Benedict Ncube, Hebert Mawadza, Cloud Chunga, Bernard Tapfuma,  Michael Madamombe, Magret Matizha, Nyarai Membe, Portia Mudzudzu, Tryness Uzande, Mary Muteyerwa, Florence Magenje, Lizzway Jose, Patricia Tayero, Charles Ma,
Rudo Muzondo, Gloria Tafirenyika, Daniel Chirombe, Emmanuel Rwizi, Melissa Tshuma, Patrick Mawere, Michael Mudyiwa, Christina Ndlovu, Estelle Mutare, Patrick Musengwa, Rose Dhlamini, Elizabeth Mangodza, Wadzanayi Mudondo, Mike Banda, Christine Nyamaparo, Emmaculate Mbanga, Priscilla Dube, Grace Jessamin, Nyarai Gaba, Mitchell Meki, Shakespeare Tanhara, Jacqueline Chizinga, ring, Elizabeth Mhara, Jessiman Samanga, Musarurwa Kanyoka, Sibanyoni Sibanda, Sylvia Maziwa, Debra Chinogwenya, Marian Hove, Charles Ndelemani, Crispen Kulinji, Francesca Jakope, Joseph Dzavakwa, Willard Madondo, Lucy Mapfura; Tarisai Kanyoka, Patson Tamburai, Chris Gondoza, Kerri Beech, Cathy
Stevenson, Mary Ganya, Faines Jamu, Inathi Bambeni, Amanda Mroma, Millicent Sabau, Theresina Mhembere, Lilian Chirombe, Patson Muzuwa, Mitchell Meki; Silindiwe Munonyara; Jestiner Manyere;Vimbainashe Mangoma; Talent Norma Chidziwo.

An opening prayer was said by Lindiwe Maposa. The meeting started right on time looking at the previous agenda. Mr Machakayire
asked members to list the kind of projects to be undertaken in Leicester.  Everyone was asked to put down their names in the register
book.

Jackie Chizinga, Mary Muteyerwa, Theresina Mhembere, Tarisai Kanyoka and Martha Matohwa made the following proposals:

- Teaching vernacular languages e.g. Ndebele, Shona, Kore-Kore or Tonga
- Sewing, pattern cutting
- Cooking classes for Zimbabwean men
- Adult learning classes in numeracy and creative writing for young Zimbaweans
- Gardening and Agriculture
- Childcare support classes with focusing on our culture and traditions
- ICT

Mr Makaza Chizinga informed the members that he would be forwarding the proposals to the leadership for consideration with their response expected soon. He went on to update the ZA members of the Deputy Prime Ministers (Thokozani Khupe) visit on Tuesday 06 July 2010 London Diaspora Network Forum which he attended with Pellagia Hungwe. The Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe spoke about the inclusive
government saying it is not going on well. The MDC party is trying hard but not necessarily succeeding in its efforts. The situation back home in Zimbabwe is a risky situation and she advised that people should first assess whether it was safe for them to return.

During the question and answer session held with Miss Khupe she understood that the majority of the UK-Zimbabwe residents are asylum seekers. At the Network Forum, she promised that she would do as much as she could to help re-skill.

After the briefing on the DPM’s Visit Mr Makaza went on to call upon the guests from British Red Cross (Leicester). Cathy Stephenson and Kerri Beech thanked the Zimbabwean community in trying to help one another before they became destitute and those already in that situation. They
highlighted  some issues that they can offer help with like those in destitute situation and oher issues like applying for NASS Support etc

The meeting ended with Pelagia Hungwe closing the meeting saying “it is us to be united to help each other. Do not be Idle in the face of destitution” and the Red Cross representatives concluded assuring all ZA members present that they are the backbone and support system in times of need. Work together and not to be in isolation.

Any other business announcements were made by Mitchell Meki a ZA Member in connection with Saturday 10 July 2010 to the “ZimVigilUK”. Those going to the vigil for demonstrations should bring the contributions early so that the bus can be hired on time.

Closing Prayer was said and Anthem (Ishe Komborera Africa) before people joined in free-flow discussions and Zimbabwean meals. The next
meeting is scheduled for the 23 July .

Minutes taken by Miss Vimbainaishe Mangoma

Tigers battle to stop deportation of Tuilagi

Leicester Tigers are fighting to stop one of their brightest young prospects being deported.

Manu Tuilagi, the latest of a Samoan family’s dynasty to play for the club, has had his request for a work permit turned down by the Home Office.

It means the 19-year-old is not allowed to play for the club professionally, and could be sent back to the Pacific Islands.

Leicester’s head of operations, Simon Cohen, said the decision had left Tuilagi “devastated”, but pledged the club would do everything it could to fight the decision.

Full story

Cardiff millionaire goes undercover to share his fortune

Walesonline

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MDC Leicester Fundraising Event a Success

By MDC Correspondent

The Leicester Branch of the MDC Midlands North held its fundraising party on Saturday 21 November 2009.The event dubbed the mother of all fundraising events was attended by representatives from all the Midlands North eight branches bar one and the MDC UK Province . The Branch chairman Mr Tawanda Machakayire welcomed everyone who came including the Investment Committee represented by Mr Chiwandamira and Matewu .The district chairperson Mr. Tonderai Samanyanga, District Council executives and the chairperson of UK and Ireland Mr. Jonathan Chawora were all present. Members brought in their families, signifying the importance of the event.

The party started at 1pm with District executive members arriving at Highfields centre to attend a meeting and briefing on the latest developments in Zimbabwe and on how to intensify the struggle against the rogue ZANU PF regime. At 4pm, the party switched venues to St Peters Centre where they were joined by the UK and Ireland chairperson Mr. Jonathan Chawora. After his address, it was now time to party for most of the Zimbabweans who have suffered a lot and have almost forgotten how to socialize. When the UK chairperson thundered the MDC slogan ‘New Zimbabwe, New beginning, it was followed by a unison thunderous response from all corners of the hall.

The DJ started belting music and no sooner had the people started wriggling to the tune on the dance floor in typical Zimbabwean style. There were loads of food and drink such that even if some people had three tummies, they would not finish it.

This was indeed a very successful event and the proceeds from it will go a long way in helping the people of Mashonaland East and Zimbabwe as a whole. Special thanks should go to the organizers of the event, in particular the Treasurer Ashton Zaranyika (head of the fundraising), Pelani Ziba the Organising Secretary, the whole of the Leicester Executive and fundraising committee,and all  MDC members who managed to attend especially those who came from other branches , Juliet Makande the Women’s Chairperson, who did and managed the catering works with Tryness Uzande, Mary Muteyerwa, Rudo Muzondo, Sheill Ndarukwa who all ran up and down in all directions to make this event a success. All went well because of the Chief Security Officer Mr Korasi Gumi, Michael Madamombe and Ali Ndlovu who made sure they were available in all the corners of the place to maintain order and peace. This was never a party without, Jeniffer Senzere, Mandiwengereyi Zambezi, Leah Muzhuzha, Godwin Gonde, Monica Baira, Jackson Magaya, Nyarai Gaba, Mr Chisvo,Joyce Sithole and Wendy Zhakata for all their effort andhardwork they put in making this event a success. They worked tirelessly throughout the whole event. The struggle continues until final victory is won:’ New Zimbabwe, New beginning’.

The Race Equality Centre AGM

The Race Equality Centre are set to hold their Annual General Meeting on Thursday 24 September 2009 at Highfields Centre, 96 Melbourne Road, Leicester, LE2 0DS.

The meeting will commence at 6pm. Linda Bellos, campaigner, political activist and Director of Diversity Solutions Consultancy Ltd will be the Keynote Speaker.

For all enquiries contact:

3rd Floor
Epic House
Lower Hill Street
Leicester
LE1 3SH

Tel 0116 2999800
Fax 0116 2999801

E-mail: administrator@theraceequalitycentre.org.uk
Web: www.theraceequalitycentre.org.uk
The Race Equality Centre in Leicester and Leicestershire (TREC) – is a voluntary organisation that was established under the name of the Leicester Racial Equality Council in 1991 to challenge discrimination as defined by the Race Relations Act 1976; and further strengthened by the Race Relations Act (Amendment) Act and the Human Rights Act 1998.

TREC areas of work include:

1. Generic race equality development
2. Community empowerment through targeted work with infrastructure organisations
3. To ameliorate the impact of extreme and violent racist activity
4. Integration support to new and emerging communities
5. Racial harassment monitoring and intervention
6. Promotion of independent living to racial minority disabled people

Swine flu – local update 3 July 2009

The situation with swine flu has now changed. As swine flu spreads and there is transmission within the community, it makes sense to move from intensive efforts to contain the virus to focusing efforts on treating the increasing number of people who have the disease.

Swine flu itself remains, in most cases, a relatively mild illness, similar to seasonal flu and many people will not need to seek medical help.

It has always been clear that, at some point, the NHS would need to change the way patients are diagnosed and treated across the UK. Clinical diagnosis of swine flu is now handled by GPs rather than relying on laboratory test results. It is important that people with flu-like symptoms do not go to their GP’s surgery or local hospital, so GPs will confirm diagnosis over the phone. The NHS has established a number of treatment support centres across Leicestershire and Rutland where patients can obtain antiviral drugs authorised by GPs.

However, it will remain a matter of clinical discretion to decide whether antiviral medicines should be prescribed in individual cases.

As the number of cases rises, patients will be diagnosed and dealt with by the National Pandemic Flu Service. This will take the pressure off GPs by allowing people to be diagnosed (either online or via a dedicated call centre service) and receive an authorisation number for collecting a course of antivirals.

What to do if you think you may have swine flu

You should remain vigilant and anyone who thinks they have swine flu should follow these simple steps:

1. Check your symptoms using the online symptom checker:

·         visit www.nhs.uk

·         call the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513

·         contact NHS Direct (0845 46 47 or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk)

·         download the national flu information leaflet from our internet sites at: www.lcr.nhs.uk and www.lcrchs.nhs.uk

2. Call your GP if you feel you have symptoms of the virus. GPs will provide a clinical diagnosis over the phone.

3. If swine flu is diagnosed, GPs will provide patients with an authorisation voucher. The GP will either fax this form to the antiviral collection point or you can ask one of your flu friends to collect it for you. A flu friend can be a member of your family, a friend, a neighbour or a colleague. You should have a list of flu friends ready before you become ill. Agree among friends and family who will collect medicine on each others’ behalf. Also think about becoming a flu friend for neighbours or colleagues who live alone.

It is important that patients do not go to their GP practice or to a hospital as this may spread the virus to others and cause delays for patients who require more urgent medical care.

Real-life stories about British people’s encounters with asylum seekers coming to Leicester

WHAT: Performance of Asylum Dialogues
WHEN: June 19 @ 7:30pm, part of Refugee Week (13 – 21 June 2009)
WHERE: Curve Theatre, Rutland Street, Leicester, LE1 1SB

Before an unlikely friendship developed between John, a 66 year-old Birmingham accountant, and Angela, a 40 year-old Jamaican woman who cleaned his office, John admitted to believing the spin about asylum seekers perpetuated by the tabloid press and the government:

“I honestly used to say – send them all back home. They shouldn’t be here. Taking all our money.”

John even admits that he was considering voting for the BNP. But, he continues,

“Then this woman Angela turned up to clean my office and turned the world upside down.”

John and Angela’s story is part of Asylum Dialogues, a documentary play about real-life friendships between British people and asylum seekers, performed by iceandfire’s outreach project Actors for Human Rights. The show will be touring to seven cities across the UK during Refugee Week 2009.

Each city is part of the national City of Sanctuary movement, which aims to build a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary in the UK.

Asylum Dialogues, scripted by award-winning playwright Sonja Linden, is drawn from actual conversations and reveals the moving, funny and poignant relationships between British people and refugees who have fled violence and persecution in their own countries.

Actors for Human Rights is iceandfire’s network of professional actors which tours documentary plays about human rights issues around the UK. Their plays have been performed to over 15,000 people since the project’s inception in 2006, and scripts include Asylum Monologues, Rendition Monologues, Palestine Monologues and The Illegals.

Juliet Stevenson, Sinead Cusack, Simon Callow, Kwame Kwei-Armah, Hayley Atwell, Thusitha Jayasundera and Louise Jameson are just some of the professional actors that support the network. City of Sanctuary’s goal is to create a network of towns and cities throughout the country that are proud to be places of safety. So far, ten cities have signed up to be part of the movement, including the seven included in this tour.

Gill Buttery from City of Sanctuary, who are partnering with iceandfire in Leicester, said:
“If you listened to certain media stories, you’d be forgiven for thinking that nobody in the UK is willing to help asylum seekers and refugees through the difficulties they face here. Working with iceandfire to present Asylum Dialogues in Leicester will help us to tell alternative tales of solidarity and inspire local people to stand shoulder to shoulder with those seeking sanctuary here.”

Christine Bacon, co-Artistic Director of iceandfire, says using actors allows the stories of asylum seekers and refugees to be told to people who may not otherwise get a chance to hear them:
“As actors we can give faces and voices to the unseen and the unheard. We try to redress some of the misconceptions about asylum seekers and refugees with more accurate information and with personal stories that will appeal to many British audiences.”

iceandfire explores human rights stories through performance. The company was founded in 2003 by playwright Sonja Linden inspired by her seven years as writer in residence at the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture. Over the last six years they have become a theatre company with a distinct, contemporary voice creating work of excellence across our four work strands: production, outreach, education and participation.

Actors for Human Rights is iceandfire’s national outreach network, made up of over 350 professional actors who are dedicated to drawing public attention to a range of contemporary human rights concerns. The performers involved donate their time and their profile to encourage public acceptance of human rights and to give voice to people whose basic human rights have been violated.

City of Sanctuary is a movement to build a culture of hospitality for people seeking sanctuary in the UK. It began in October 2005 in Sheffield. In September 2007, with the support of the City Council and over 70 local community organisations, Sheffield became the UK’s first official ‘City of Sanctuary’ — a city that takes pride in the welcome it offers to people in need of safety.

A Unique Football Multi Faith Match: Leicester Vs Gothenburg

Christians and Muslims from Leicester pioneered the idea of a cricket match between Imams and Clergy on 11th of September three years ago and the match has now become an annual feature. It must be the first in the cricket world, the two teams comprising Christian Clergy and Imams of Leicester have faced each other at the crease in the popular Twenty/20 format.

However this year several other faith groups and agencies have come together to take part in a unique football match with their European partners from Gothenburg, Sweden at 7.00 pm on Tuesday 16 June 2009 at Spinney Hill Park on East Park Road, Leicester LE5 5GY. This builds upon other inter faith football matches, such as that witnessed by HRH Prince Charles at St Philip’s Centre in February 2008.

This good practice of organising sports events has communicated a message of hope and the possibility of living side by side as friends, even though tension and misunderstanding are also part of life in diverse communities.

Canon Dr. Andrew Wingate, the Director of the St. Philip’s Centre said, “This is dialogue in action on the playing field. It aims to promote stronger ties amongst faith groups and other agencies, challenging stereotypes of fear or hostility rampant in the present climate. We have been able to add this year a European dimension and invited a Multi faith group from Gothenburg, Sweden to visit this special city of ours”.

Suleman Nagdi MBE DL, Public Relations Officer of the Federation of Muslim Organisations said: “Leicester can pride itself as perhaps the only city in Europe where every community will be a minority in a few years time. This football match proves what a skilled city can offer in terms of community cohesion and good relations. We believe that a sporting event of this nature which involves several faiths of Leicester and Gothenburg will contribute to our life in Leicester and beyond. It shows how we can creatively use sports as a means of tacking discrimination at every level”.

The Mayor of Leicester is due to attend together with a host of other dignitaries both from Leicester, Leicestershire and their counterparts from Gothenburg. These civic leaders will join the Bishop of Gothenburg to support their team, and over 30 visitors will spend three days in Leicester, experiencing the diverse life of the city and its faiths. The organisers of the event are inviting the citizens of Leicester and beyond to watch this significant sporting event.

Conference a Huge Success

By Kenneth Mawomo and Phadden Munyoro

On Tuesday, 28 April 2009, all roads led to the University of Leicester’s Henry Wellcome building for an innovative Conference to create awareness about the life experiences of local refugees and asylum seekers in Leicester.

The conference was jointly organised by Hatnews ,the Clinical Psychology Department at the University of Leicester together with a number of Leicester based community organisations including Leicester City of Sanctuary, Soft Touch and Leicester Libraries.

Among the list of guest speakers was The Right Worshipful Lord Mayor of Leicester,  Councillor Manjula Sood who gave an inspirational speech reflecting on her life experiences. She came to Leicester in 1970 to join her husband. She revealed the agonizing challenges she went through in trying to settle here. Back then, she even contemplated returning to her native home but her father encouraged her to persevere. In 1972 she gained education in PGCE at Leicester University. Since 1973, she taught at local primary schools like Marriot Junior, East Park and Spinney Hills Primary being one of the first Asian female primary school teachers. Following the sudden death of her husband Paul Sood in 1996, she went into politics. In every role, she has always taught people the value and respect and understanding towards their fellow human beings. The Lord Mayor reiterated the fact that Leicester is a special home away from home, a place where dreams, hopes and aspirations can be realized.

Other guest speakers included Councillor Abdul Razak Osman(Office of the Deputy Leader), Geoff Saul(Curriculum Area Manager – ESOL Leicester College), Steve Beverley(Leicester Libraries), Amy Edwards(Charnwood Arts), Helen Everett (City of Sanctuary), Susan Hind (Open Hands Trust) and Alison Dunne (The Book Doctor).

Depressing revelations of a failed asylum seeker’s harrowing experiences in UK, recorded in diary form were read out by Alison, Phil and Millie. The monologue highlighted problems associated with lack of access to decent accommodation, threats of eviction by the authorities, lack of proper sanitation, access to GPs and solicitors and the resultant psychological torture.

One of the delegates interviewed by Bridgett Blair for BBC Radio Leicester, Senior Clinical Tutor (University of Leicester) Dr.Steve Melluish said : ‘Leicester’s cultural heritage reflects the fact that the city has historically been a settling place for many migrants and is home to a diversity of people from different backgrounds.’

Well over 120 delegates including refugees and asylum seekers, clinical psychology students, healthcare and social care professionals, university staff, 10 year 5 pupils from St. Thomas Moore Primary School accompanied by their teacher and Multi Agency Forum(MAF) members were in attendance.

In addition to the conference programme, there were a series of stalls and art displays from a wide range of organisations (Curve Theatre, Soft Touch Arts, ASSIST, Gondor Project Ethiopia, Amnesty International, Refugee Action, NIACE, Charnwood Arts, Catch 22, Leicester City NHS, Open Hands Trust and LASS) in the foyer of the Henry Wellcome building which was open to all from 10.30am – 3.30pm. Musical entertainment was provided by a drumming group called Afro-ex.

See You Tube Videos for the Conference:
Part 1
Part 2

Flickr photos

Feedback

Ratings of 1-7, rating 1 being very poor, rating 7 being very good. 25 forms returned. Approximately 120 people attended

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7
Presentations				6	4	7	6
Displays			1		6	9	9
Organisation of event			2		2	10	11
Venue		1				5	19
Lunch			1	3	2	11	8

Comments under ratings:

1. Presentations

- Really enjoyed the more personal, reflective talks. Film in the morning was very informative and very interesting. Loved the poems in the morning too.
-The Lord Mayor excellent as always – perhaps more personal stories from refugees would have been good too – sorry I had to leave at 2.00 p.m.
-Varied – not a good idea to have someone from libraries ?? a long document. Lord Mayor and speaker from COS good. Moderator good. Info good – library speaker (1) – others 5-7.
-DVD was good, other presentation was average. Speakers started getting boring.
-(Quite mixed overall – some fluent, some a bit dry). Lots of very interesting stuff but slightly limiting in that it was mainly a series of Talking Heads, which didn’t allow for much participation. However, aside from the school children, almost everyone stayed to the end which tells its own story.
-Good to have a lot of short, sharp presentations. Morning video was great. Maybe a little more interaction with the audience would help?
-Well organised.
-Some were very good, interesting and educational. Some were not so good.
-Very variable presentations. Statutory services – too much ????????? Contract with voluntary sector rather painful at times. Art therapy too theoretical – ASSIST service presentation much better. Poems and monologues brilliant.
-Diverse range of speakers – very informative. Would have liked to hear more from asylum seekers themselves/more interactive activities/personal experiences.
-Diverse spectrum of presentations but maybe too many? No personal refugees/asylum seeker speakers talked which seemed a shame.
-Very clear and health (good) – absolutely brilliant.
-Enjoyed the video presentations.
-Some better than others – but reading a speech does not make it interesting.

2. Displays

- Good.
-Very interesting and raised awareness.
-Very varied and from a really diverse collection of organisations.
-XXX ‘home is a special place’ and music.
-Fantastic.
-Information packed – links were made.
-Really well done.
-Good range of organisations/information.
-Good range of stalls and information.
-Very understood.
-Very informative.

3. Organisation of event

- Maybe could have done with a brief morning coffee break.
-Good.
-Too many speakers in so little time – there should have been a short 15 minute tea break in the morning session.
-Well co-ordinated and ‘shepherded’ – unlike many conferences which run over time from the outset!
-Impeccable.
-Good.
-Better communication, e.g., confirmation of conference nomination.
-Fine – firm grip on timing welcome.
-Well organised (no programme available on arrival however).
-Was not given a programme on arrival, everything else was super.
-Organisation and groups are already playing a big part should take they issues seriously and act ASAP.

· Good.

4. Venue

- Good.
-Excellent facilities to meet everyone’s needs.
-No place better than this.
-Very limitable.
-Claustrophobic and not enough fresh air in lecture theatre – gave me a headache. Seating badly designed so impossible to get out middle seats without disturbing a dozen people.
-Adequate, modern, clean, pleasant, location good.
-Enough space and easy to get there.
-Good.

5. Lunch

- Very good.
-Not much variety.
-Lovely food, but a bit of a squash to get to it.
-Was very good, organise more such events please and make the public know about them.
-I did not get what I wanted, e.g., decaffineated tea, etc.
-Very tasty.
-Yum!
-Very nice, shame about the queue!
-Anyone had a chance to eat (choose) whatever they wanted. Nice food (I like desert but couldn’t see).
-OK
-Excellent – especially because of the music and the children’s spontaneous dancing which accompanied it.

Any other comments:

- Length of presentations right length – moderator good in keeping to boundaries. I found the monologues and poems particularly powerful.
-I was expecting more than just having speakers talk about what they do. More stories from refugees/asylum seekers would have been better and more interesting.
-A very worthwhile day – reaching a lot of new people. Thank you for organising it.
-I’ve had such a lovely, heart-warming, rich and nurturing day. Thank you.
-Great energy and buzz. Hope the idea of a central resource of info takes off. I should’ve brought info on my organisation.
-Generally fantastic.
-It would have been nice to hear an asylum seeker or failed asylum seeker talk about their present situation.
-A wonderful event, great to hear about all the brilliant projects in Leicester – keep up the good work!
-Publicity is still little. This marks the beginning of something special.
-Lots of information to share with our team.
-Good mix of people and chance to network. The work being done is very important
– think more about presentation and don’t smother good work by unimaginative approach, e.g., Leicester College ESOL.
-Thanks for the invite. Keep up the good work and awareness/insight to pass on to others.
-Insightful and creative.
-?? come people can have hope that they are not alone, there are people out there who care about other people, even they can’t get anything out from it (can’t stand/sit back while other human beings are suffering).
-Congratulations to Elisha.

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