18 Community
Annual Kenya Picnic
Day In The Farm
By Valentine Nkoyo
The Kenya Nottinghamshire Welfare Association
(KNWA), Mojatu Foundation, and the EcoCentre
Community Care Farm came together on Saturday
16 th July to bring us the third annual Kenya Picnic
Fun Day.
300 people left the hustle and bustle of the
city behind them in favour of the EcoCentre
Community Care Farm in Screveton. The
event brought together people from a diverse
range of communities, nationalities, ages, and
backgrounds to enjoy the sunny countryside and
learn more about Female Genital Mutilation.
Throughout the day there were talks by the KNWA,
Mojatu Foundation and the EcoCentre, as well
as their partners, highlighting the importance
of community and calling for an end to FGM
practices. We were honoured to also have talks
delivered by Veronica Pickering, Deputy Lieutenant
for Nottinghamshire, Kinsi Clarke, The Into the
Mainstream Project Manager at the Refugee Forum
and Michael Henry of Communities Inc. Their talks
centred around inclusivity, community cohesion
and tackling FGM. It is great to have such influential
individuals supporting the event and promoting
an end to FGM.
Kenya Day also marked the one-year anniversary
of Mojatu Foundation’s adopt a tree initiative
whereby organisations can plant a tree with a
message attached. The trees from last year are
getting bigger and stronger, and we will plant
more this autumn. If you’d like to learn more
about the adopt a tree scheme, contact info@
mojatufoundation.com
Highlights of the day included Nyama Choma
(Kenyan Barbeque), goat racing, trailer rides,
and live music from Ebasalla. It was fantastic to
see so many people of different ages, cultures
and backgrounds at the event, and children also
enjoyed running around the fields, feeding the
animals, learning about the countryside, and
making pizzas!
Thank you to everyone who helped out and
attended the event, it was a huge success and it’s
certainly a day that won’t be forgotten! Look out
for next year’s Kenya Day in our upcoming issues.
If you would like any more information about
FGM or the steering group, do not hesitate to
contact [email protected]
mojatu .com