Days out & Events
M.R.A.N.G make a special effort to expose our members to experiences other than their
ever day lives, as a way of improving interpersonal relations within the group and also giving the women something
different to look forward to as part of their healing process
Many of the women members are very traumatised following their experiences before
they came to the UK and have never had the opportunity to take part in something which
is
nice. Many have spent their life trying to survive in poverty and war that enjoyment
has not been part of their lives
Brouhaha Festival
On several occasions
M.R.A.N.G have taken part in the Liverpool Bru HaHa festival.
We always have a great turn out with over
30 women taking part in the parade with costumes all made by Jamal Al-Shabazz who
is the dedicated police officer for Princes Ward.
The atmosphere at St Bernard’s Church Hall was electric with excitement as all the girls
were getting dressed up in their costumes. Everyone was wearing red tee shirts and black
trousers all of which were decorated with jewels and feathers.
Three of the girls were wearing shoulder wings, again highly decorated and very heavy.
We set off from Myrtle Street and sang and danced our way to Princes Park for a celebration
of traditional dancing and singing.
There were thousands of people lining the streets on the
way. It was a wonderful day, which was enjoyed by every one who took part. We pushed prams and
all the children also took part. It brought a great feeling of togetherness and family spirit
amongst us
Dinner at the Devonshire
As a Community Group within of the Kensington Area we were invited to Rt Hon Jane Kennedy’s
MP Annual Dinner, which was held at the Devonshire House Hotel on Edge Lane. Fr Peter and I
attended with 4 of our women members.
We chose the women, two of whom had been granted status to stay, and the other two
Jane Kennedy had been putting representations to the Home Office
on their behalf.
Jane has been an avid supporter of our work, and this was
an opportunity for the women to have a really nice evening out and was also a perfect
opportunity for myself and Father Peter to Network with other community groups and other
Home Office Ministers who were present at the dinner
Cheshire Canal Boat Trip
During September we had the opportunity to take the women on a day trip out on the canal
in Cheshire. This was a very relaxing time, filled with peace and quiet for the women to spend
together.
The majority of the women who came with us were either still very traumatised or
already on the road to recovery. We were able to demonstrate to the traumatised women that
there is always a future and that they can recover and live their lives in peace together
and support one and other throughout the asylum process.
It was also a time that we could demonstrate that different cultures and customs can be
respected, that we are all the same, and that we can all help each other even if there are language barriers
Visit to 10 Downing Street
Lousie Massamba was lucky enough to be invited to 10 Downing Street to be presented with a
prize from Clarin's Cosmetics.
It was at this event that I made the contact with the founder of The Boat Adventure
Project who was kind enough to provide us with the opportunity to go on the boat trip