M029 Mojatu Magazine Online M029 | Page 11

Nottingham connected 11 MODERN DAY SLAVERY & SURVIVOR VOICES WITH MAASAI CRICKET WARRIORS By Leikeisha Walters Survivor Alliance - a non-profit organisation that unites and empowers survivors of modern slavery and human trafficking held their ‘Modern Day Slavery & Survivors Voices Conference’ on the 22nd of August at Holy Trinity Church, Lenton, Nottingham. Survivor Alliance invited the Maasai Cricket Warriors to join the conference, sharing more information about how to tackle modern day slavery, human trafficking and forced marriage, discussing the impact that such issues have on communities both in the UK and worldwide. The conference gave an overview of Nottingham’s contribution and introduced participants to survivor-led initiatives including their efforts to unite, empower and give a voice to survivors. These were issues at the heart of the Maasai Cricket Warriors’ campaign for social justice. The Maasai Warriors shared more about their work and contribution towards tackling modern slavery, including forced marriage in Kenya. As their popular adage goes “the eye that leaves the village [travels] sees further”, I am sure that the Warriors will take information from the conference to support their campaign and that Survivor Alliance would also have gained insight from the information shared by the Warriors. With such serious topics discussed at the conference, it was important that everyone left feeling uplifted - what better way than a quick game of community cricket! The University of Nottingham Business School got involved in the action, playing in mixed teams consisting of University colleagues, Maasai Cricket Warriors, tour partners and local children. The match was fun and engaging for all, with lots of energy!