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NOVEMBER 2003 - PART ONE

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Dennis Matthew Mwakulua - still flying high in the UK

A good example to young Kenyans in the UK

He has won another award - Norwegian Seafood Challenge Live Cooking Competition Finalist 

 Dennis Mwakulua,  a Kenyan from Mombasa, Taita who beat hundreds of other chefs from across the UK to win the coveted title, chief of the year entered his Kenyan influenced dish, ‘Roast Belly of Norfolk Pork, Tamarind Glazed with Kachumbari Salad’ into the Contract Catering category of the competition, which he won at the beginning of this year continues to win more awards. Of late he has won an award for Norwegian Seafood Challenge Live Cooking Competition Finalist.

Dennis articles has appeared in last weeks Voice newspaper

Roast Belly of Norfolk Pork, Tamarind Glazed with Kachumbari Salad

Hobbies                             Music, basketball, socialising and dancing

education and qualifications

September 24 to                Emirate School of Hospitality, Dubai

September 30 2002            Advanced Kitchen Management Program

January, 1986 to                 Mombassa Baptist High School

November, 1989                 KCSE C+

September, 1994 to            Lambeth College, London,

May, 1996                          Advance in Business & Finance, distinction 

September, 1997 to            Lewisham College

May, 1998                          City of Guilds 706/1

September, 1999 to            Westminster College

May, 2000                          NUQ Level II – Food Preparation and Cooking

Awards

June 26, 2003        Norwegian Seafood Challenge Live Cooking Competition Finalist           

March 30, 2003     British Meat Overall Chef of the year Champion

March 17, 2003     British Meat Contract Catering Chef of the Year

November,2002    Grand Prix Gold Medal (team Event)

June, 2002           Avenance National Chef of the Year overall winner 

February, 2002     Gold Medal at British Open Live Cooking Championship

November, 2001   Grand Prix bronze medal (first course)

September, 2001  Merit at Olympia, 2001 Food Service Live cooking competition

July 2001             Star2001 Semi-finalist Live Cooking Competition

September 2000   Grand Prix bronze medal (pastry)

July 2000             Star 2000 Finalist Live Cooking Competition

Additional Information

October 2002      Four days kitchen training at Bur Al Arab Hotel, Dubai

July, 2002           Help Rob Kirby on a demonstration for Skills for Chefs Conference, Sheffield

November 2001   Help Rob Kirby on a demonstration at Restaurant Show, Olympia

November 2001   canapés for Master Chefs of Great Britain at Amarada Hess London

June, 2001          Help Brian Turner on demonstration

April 2000           Cooked for Sir Dominic Cadbury’s retirement party, Birmingham

Member of Association Culinaire Francaise, Masters Chef of Great Britain & Craft      Guild of Chefs

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Nyama Choma in Tanzania

Sent to Mr. Seed by a visitor from Tanzania

Eating meat is more than a way of life here. all stages, from choosing an animal to consumption, are thoroughly discussed and debated. I really enjoyed visiting the umnada - the travelling market. It didn't come to Bermi, but to villages either side. A major part of the market is devoted to meat, either in buying/selling cattle or in cooking and eating beef. The cows are killed behind the tents and butchered. Then slabs of meat are hung outside the tent. You pick out the piece you want and it's cut off, weighed and cooked over charcoal. When ready, the meat is cut into bite sized chunks and served in a bowl with a small pile of salt on the side. Pick up a piece of meat, dip it lightly in the salt and eat it. This simple food is about as popular as Manchester United in East Africa. It's called Nyama Choma (roast meat) and it's best washed down with a beer or two.

Buying really fresh meat

A cow walks behind the meat cooking tents at the travelling market

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Six Raffle Air Tickets for Jamhuri in the UK from Kenya Airways

Raffle tickets to support Jamhuri Day 2003 are now on sale for £5. Top prize will be 2 first class air tickets to Kenya. The second prize will be 2 economy class tickets to any country in the Africa continent. Third prize will be 2 economy class tickets to Kenya. The tickets have been kindly donated by Kenya Airways. All tickets on offer are return. To purchase raffle tickets you can contact Kenya Community Support Network (KCSN) on 0208 5557600 or the following organisers: Sam 07956408655, Mr. Seed 07951220695 or Henry 07949853111. The tickets can be sent to you by postage. Cheque made payable to Kenya Community Support Network or can be sent to Kenya Community Support Network, Durning Hall, Earlham Grove, Forest Gate, London E7 9AB. The draw will be held on Jamhuri Day on 13th December, 2003 and the results of the winning numbers will be published at this website. The raffle ticket is made up of two parts, one of which is to be returned to KCSN. The second part is to be retained by guests till the draw is held on the day of the celebrations. The organisers will send raffle tickets to entrants once payment has been received. Attendance on Jamhuri Day is not a mandatory as all tickets purchased will be entered for the draw. Admission to the venue of the celebrations, Silver Spoon Azzure House, Southway, Wembley is free and will not depend on guests having purchased raffle tickets.

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It is not a farm in Kitale Kenya, it is your body

Fingerprint  - This close-up macro photography image shows the grooves that make up the distinctive fingerprint. Dr Barlow said: "I was very surprised when I saw this for the first time. "The human fingerprint looking like a ploughed potato field with small puddles of sweat sitting in the pores of sweat glands."	Human heart - Dr David Barlow has won the prestigious Lennart Nilsson award for his spectacular images of the human body. This image, of one of the chambers of the human heart, shows clearly the detailed structure of muscle and valve. The prize, awarded each year, is given for the best visual representation of science, medicine, biology and technology.
Inside the ear - The middle ear contains tiny bones, called ossicles, which help transmit sound towards the brain. These bones pick up vibrations from the eardrum, then pass these to the auditory nerve. Dr Barlow is better known for his moving pictures of the body - working for, among other things, BBC documentary makers.	Breathing  - A microscope camera allowed this crisp image of the surface of one of the alveoli of the lung. This is where gas exchange takes place - oxygen from the air is absorbed and carbon dioxide released.
Stress close up - A dazzling image of crystals forming in the human "stress" hormone cortisol. Cortisol is actually responsible for many of the physiological problems associated with stress. Its release has effects on heart rate and blood pressure.	Brain and skull  - Two images joined together to superimpose the brain over the human skull. Dr Barlow's television work is next on view in the BBC series "Bodysnatchers" - all about parasites, which will be broadcast later this year. - Source BBC.

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Kikuyu traditional man at WTM in London

As the World Travel Market which started on Monday 10/11/03 in London comes to a close on Thursday a number of visitors had toured the Kenyan stand where they have witnessed a number of Kenyan attires on display. Among the most interesting attired at the stand is a Kenyan Kikuyu man dressed to kill as a traditional Kikuyu man with a whisk and and wearing a skin. Colourful with beads the Mr. David N. Kigochi who is a tourist officer with ministry of Tourism and Information in Nairobi was an item to sell at the stand. Holding a skin bag containing several items including the sword many Kenyan guests at the stand could not afford to miss a photo with him. Many have not seen the attire before as it is quite rear either in the UK or in Kenya. Nancy Nasenyara a Maasai lady who is currently Miss Tourism Nairobi was another attraction especially with foreigners at the stand.

From left is Kenya Airways Sales Manager Mr. David Granville, Barney Hassan, Sam Ochieng, Nancy Nasenyara and Henry Otiende	From Nakuru Kenya is Mr. Muyu Kimotho director of Lake Nakuru Lodges, Mr. David Kigochi and Mr. Kariuki
Mr. David Kigochi a centre of attraction at the Kenyan stand as he wears a traditional Kikuyu attire - a skin, a whisk, shows and a bag made of skin	Mr. Peter  Ngugi a relative of Mr. Kigochi posed for a photo with him at the stand all the way from Luton. "To complete the Kikuyu man attire, Mr. Kigocho explained jokingly, you must have an email and my email is dnkigochi@hotmail.com". he concluded
Mr. Neil Cloughley (right) aircraft sales Manager with Cabot Aviation was caught by Mr. Seed at the Kenyan stand talking to Mr. Henry Otiende who was acquiring about the price of Aircraft. The salesman explained: "An airbus A310 costs about $9 million and if you want to hire it costs about half-a-million dollars a month. Most of the African countries goes for Boeing 737 African which costs a lot more than that. In case interested like Henry his contact is neil@cabotaviation.com	Mr. Kamau Wainaina (right) of African Youth League in London discussing some business issues with Reymond Matiba the chairman of Kenya Tourist Board. Mr. Wainaina who is a director of summer camps international to be held in Kenya next year was at hand to launch the summer camps at the stand. At the camps young people over 18 years will be treated to entertainment, music, sports etc. His contact is africanyouthleague@yahoo.co.uk
On his way to look for the Kikuyu traditional man Mr. Wainaina met a lion and he posed to wonder "a lion in London?"	Finally he found the man and he had no choice to have a photo with him as he narrated his drama with a lion on his way

Later on Mr. Kigochi explained the story to another visitor Mr. James Mwangi from Hendon - West London and both laughed	Seen busy at the Kenyan stand was Susan Matiba Mwamto (daughter of Matiba) (right) who is Strategy Director with Alliance Hotels group and Julius Nyanjui the technical director of the group.
Notably at the exhibition were the Rwandanese dancers who entertained guests at their stand - reliable sources says that Rwanda is coming up very well on this industry	Bw. Mbegu (right) posed with the kikuyu traditional man as well as Mr. Sam Ochieng (right) of Kenya Community Support Network. Sam was quick to ask the kikuyu man "are you coming to Jamhuri Day Celebrations in the UK which will be held on 13th December, 2003 at Wembley - call me 07956408655 to confirm - it will be free".

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Kenya stand at WTM not as attractive as before

World Travel Market Exhibition in London started on Monday 10th November, 2003 at the Excel, Customs House, at the Docklands, in East London. Notably from far is the low movements of visitors within the stand. The displays at the stands is not as attractive as last year and it seems that caused a lower number of visitors at the stand. At the famous Kenya bar at the stand things are no longer the same. The free drinks which attracts a huge crowd is not there as it is only water and orange juice was being served there. Quick to be noticed was the absence of the minister and the permanent secretary of the ministry who are always there in other years. One staff was asked what is wrong at the stand because definitely you don't need to have been there before to notice the difference and she replied in one word "budget".  Activities at the Uganda and Tanzania stands was quite good. The chairman of Kenya Tourist Board Mr. Raymond Matiba was at the stand busy with usual to keep the stand alive. Ms Joanne Mwangi the public relation officer was also around. Although it was the first day of the exhibition the Kenya stand was of low standard compared to Uganda and Tanzania. The exhibition continues up to Thursday 13th November, 2003.

Miss Tourism Nairobi Miss Nancy Ajuma Nasenyara (right) and Barney Hassan Miss Tourism last year at the Kenya stand	Ms Joanne Mwangi the PR of Kenya Tourist Board
Mr. Reymond Matiba welcoming visitors at the stand. Among the visitors being welcomed by Mr. Matiba was Miss Muhati (left) a Senior Marketing manager and PhD student in Sustainable development.	Mr. Raymond Matiba with a visitor at the stand - he was quick to explain to the visitor that lions in Kenya opens their mouth when it is hot but not to threaten to eat someone.
A visiting family at the stand could not help to see a Maasai girl dressing	The press team from Kenya was relative quiet at the stand. The team include reporters from the Daily Nation and the Standard.

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JACK PETCHEY FOUNDATION AWARD PRESENTATION EVENING AT THE

PLANETANIUM, LONDON ON 6TH NOVEMBER, 2003

You want to be a millionaire?

Three  Kenyan youngsters were among hundreds of people who were awarded Jack Petchey Foundation Awards at a colourful evening attended by several UK celebrates at the Planetarium, London on Thursday evening the 6th of November, 2003. The Kenyan team which was nominated by Sahara Communities Abroad (Sacoma) was presented with a cash reward of £200 each, a certificate and a medallion. The presentation of the awards was done by Mr. Chris Tarrant the host of the famous TV programme in the UK "WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE" which currently has awarded three millionaires. In attendance was the East London millionaire himself, Jack Petchey who was interviewed about his wealth at the function. During his interview his was asked by the interviewer that it had been  rumoured that he was once put in jail. He replied: "Yes, but not for a criminal offence - as a young boy, I was caught selling tomatoes for my mother at a shop. My mother, the shopkeeper and myself were taken to court and charged that I was caught selling vegetables to the shopkeeper of which my lawyer objected and said 'he was caught selling some fruits to a shopkeeper as tomatoes are fruits. It was not illegal for a young man to sell fruits but it was illegal for a young man to sell vegetables. The judge dismissed the case." Jack Petchey explained. "I have been looking for this particular lawyer to reward him and I have never seen him again", the millionaire concluded his speech.

Jemima Wairia (daughter of Ayub Manji of KMDJ) was awarded for being a good violin player,  Ian Odongo and Gloria Odongo (children of Joshua Odongo) were awarded for presenting a beautiful poem about refugees with a team of  "look me as a child not as a refugee". There were   interruptions at the planetarium as Chris Tarrant presented the awards as the congregation could not hold on coughing in reference to the couple  who recently  won a million through his programme and later after investigation , it was discovered  that they were  cheating through coughing and signalling of the right answers  with a colleague who was in the programmes audience. Chris kept on shouting "no more coughing", "no more coughing please " to much laughter and applause of the guests .Asked what he liked most in his life Chris Tarrant said he liked his family more than anything else in the world. Another celebrity around was Michelle Collins who presented the awards leaders.

After the presentation the hall was like a beehive as many people went for signatures and photos with Chris Tarrant. It was to the surprise of many as Chris Tarrant invited Mr. Seed for a photo too. This was after the Kenyan team calling Mr. Seed's name several times prompting him to catch up to the name as well. Before presentation there was beautiful dance by Ascension Eagles Cheerleaders from Newham who currently have won over 200 awards. The function started at 6.00 and ended up at 11.00 p.m. For more information visit www.jackpetcheyfoundation.org.uk

Ascension Eagles Cheerleaders from Newham performing at the planetarium	A dance by Davenant Dancers
From right is Jamima Wairia, Chris Tarrant and Gloria and Ian Odongo (third and fourth front)	Chris Tarrant (centre) with Mr. Seed (right) and Perez Ochieng (left) a director of Sahara Communities Abroad
From left is the millionaire Jack Petchey, Perez Ochieng, Chris Tarrant and Caroline Wairia	Elm Park Twirters performing their colourful dance

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Rosemarie Muthoni arrived in London on 06/09/1960

Almost 80 per cent of Kenyans in UK were not born by then. Mrs. Rosemarie Muthoni Gichigi arrived in London on 6th September, 1960.  She came to advance in midwifery in the UK after working as a senior midwife at Thika Hospital. 70-year-old smiling Rosemarie Muthoni Marton formerly known as Miss Rosemarie Muthoni Gichigi. Leaving her 3 children back in Kenya, Rosemarie decided to come to the UK to advance in midwifery. She was helped helped to secure £50 for an air ticket to the UK by the wife of the late Kariuki Njiiri. She arrived in the UK on 6th September, 1960 with £5 as pocket money. She went straight to Hertfordshire County Hospital where she had to take her course. Things did not go very well for her at that time as she was threatened with a deportation in 1961. She was working three jobs in order to maintain herself. Rosemarie who now owns a Nursing Home at London Road, Canterbury, UK explained that in those days the British were taking advantages of people from Africa who had come to study to work for them. One day in 1961 Rosemarie was booked for a job while she was suppose to be in a class and she refused. The boss who was a British lady was furious with her and told Rosemarie that she had to be deported. A courageous Marie explained to her boss:  "No way you can deport me, I came here to study not to work - furthermore Kenya is a British colony and that means I am a British", she explained. The boss replied: "Ok, I am the boss and we will see who will win".

Rosemarie left the job but she landed into a lot of problems as little did she know that a reference was needed in every job she was to acquire. All the references from the boss had a negative report. She had to relocate in order to get a job. Since then she has worked as a senior midwife in different places in the UK including Edgware and Corydon before retiring in 1978. She started her Nursing Home - The Red House Nursing in Canterbury, in 1978. The home has accommodated 31 people. She managed to bring her three children in the UK after 10 years in 1970. She got married to the late Morton and she was quick to point out that by the time she married the late Morton she had acquired all the properties she had through hard work. "Tell our people to work hard here and be courageous as the deportation language is not new and we are still here." Rosemarie explained as she laughed.

Rosemarie started her primary school in 1940 at Ngarithi primary school, Tetu, Nyeri before proceeding to Matheri school in 1948. She studied midwifery as from 1950 to 1952 before joining Pumwani Maternity, Ofafa Maringo then to Thika.   Even at 70 Rosemarie is on the high technology her email is rosemarygichigi@oal.com. Still speaking fluent Kikuyu the lady speak with Nyeri accent and proper Queen english. Her contact 07939242452.

Mrs. Rosemarie Muthoni Morton (centre, seated) was among the mourners at Musa Kinini's house in North London after Musa lost his mother the late Mrs. Martha Warurira Benson in Tetu Nyeri. Rosemarie was a classmate to the late Musa Kinini's mother.

From left left is Mr. Musa Kinini, Mrs. Rosemarie Muthoni and Mr. Seed as the jovial Rosemarie narrated her experiences in the UK for the last 42 years. "Don't forget to inform Kenyans in the UK that they should take advantage of learning something in this country, money alone is not enough." explained Rosemarie.

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Ruby Rubia a banker in Luton

While in London, Kenya's Anglican Archbishop Benjamin Nzimbi (left) introduced a old politician Mrs. Ruby Rubia (right) at pastor's dinner in London on 19th October, 2003. A well known Kenyan politician is now well settled with her family in Luton and currently working with bank.

Recently Mrs. Ruby Rubia (seated right) visited the offices of Sahara Communities Abroad in Ilford, Essex to explore ways and means of entering into social enterprises. Accompanying was Mrs. W.H. Dadet (seated left) a French lecturer at Kenyatta University, Mr. Peter Kahia (standing right) from Luton, Prisca Murigi (centre- standing) from Northampton and Sam Ochieng of Sacoma.

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Sacoma Project Launch 2003/04

SACOMA organised a well-attended project launch meeting on 25th October 2003.  The meeting held at Ripple Hall in Barking, East London attracted more than 200 members of the Kiswahili speaking community resident in the UK.   The day presented SACOMA with an opportunity to outline to members of the target community the projects that the organisation will be undertaking in the next 3 years. The event attracted people coming as far as Manchester, Birmingham, Peterborough, Slough, Milton Keynes, Bristol, Oxford just to mention a few. Various professional speakers delivered key speeches at the launching which was characterised by traditional dancers and food. Among the delegates was the popular athlete Rose Tata Muya, all the way from Lancashire.

Also present as speakers were representatives of various organisations with whom SACOMA has worked with in the past as well as representatives of groups that offer services that may interest SACOMA clients.

Perez Ochieng, the Chief Executive of SACOMA was the first speaker.  She outlined the organisation’s Corporate Mission and went on announce the projects planned for the next 3 years.

Steve Lockwood represented London East IAG Network which covers the Matrix Quality Standard for Information Advice & Guidance (IAG).  He stressed the importance of assessing for the Quality Standard, organisations like SACOMA on whom Clients are reliant for important advice.

John Saunders of JS Consultancy presented SACOMA Directors and members of staff with the IAG Quality Standard.

Sam Ochieng a SACOMA Director spoke about the importance the organisation attaches to providing high quality IAG services.  This he said is especially true when one considers the fact that SACOMA is often in direct competition with larger, more established organisations.

Andy Grifith of Business Links for London spoke about the services offered by his organisation to assist small businesses access finance.  He also talked about the London Business Support Network and the BME Knowledge Centre, an online service that disseminates information on BME’s in London.

Cheryl Kernot representing the School of Social Enterprise gave a definition of Social Enterprise and outlined the legal structure of Social businesses.  She also described the characteristics of Social Entrepreneurs and gave examples of social enterprise projects being undertaken at the school.

Sarah Pulle of MS Development has recently returned from the ICASA HIV/AIDS Conference in Nairobi.  She gave the meeting a brief report on the efforts of African governments and NGOs in combating the disease.   

Dr. O. Mangena the SACOMA Business Advisor outlined the services available to business clients.  The speaker went on to explain that organisations like SACOMA exist with the aim of bringing the black community from the margins of society back into the mainstream. 

The Inland Revenue was represented by Nancy Gilliam and Bibi Dhookat spoke about Inland Revenue Business Support Teams and requirements for self-employment.

Rose Tata Muya posing with Sam Ochieng at Sacoma Project Launching. She lives in Lancashire. Her contact rotamu2002@hotmail.com	Inland Revenue personnel were at hand with information and stationery to give
Chery Kernot from School of Social Enterprise presenting her part at the launching	Kenyan young girls from Progressive Women Association presented a dance dressed in Maasai attire
Uganda dancers stole of the show with their excellent performance at the work	The headgear tells it all. Mrs. Perez Ochieng (left) one of  Sacoma Directors at the launching as Mary Thuku (second left)  follows the proceedings

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