Greater London Authority High Streets For All Panel Discussion

Our CEO Roda Ibrahim was invited to speak at the Greater London Authority High Streets For All panel discussion about her work leading and being apart of the Church End regeneration project. When the opportunity for this project arouse Ms Ibrahim was very excited because having lived in the area for over 30 years, she knew it would allow for an area that historically has not received much attention to get the revitalization it needed. We worked with diverse array of community organisations, ranging from women's groups to places of worship, all with varying capacities. Establishing clear roles and responsibilities from the outset was crucial for effective collaboration.

During the panel discussion Ms Ibrahim spoke about some of the challenges she faced during the project and how she and the project director Nimo Hussein overcame them. The greatest challenge they faced was keeping momentum going as there was a gap betting funding being allocated and the project starting, however, to keep ahead of this they kept in constant communication to ensure that everyone was on the same page. It’s Ms Ibrahim’s belief that the project is rather unique, and the challenges faced were no different, however it was a good learning experience and something that we will learn from and carry forward.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Greater London Authority and the Brent Council for their invaluable support and collaboration throughout this project. Without their contributions, our vision for a stronger, more cohesive community would not have been possible. Together, we've made significant strides toward realising our shared goals, and I look forward to continued our partnership in the future.

Harlesden Library Diabetic day

Thank you to all who attended the Harlesden Library Diabetic day. Talking about diabetes is very important as it should be an issue tackled head one. I would like to thank the health educators for attended and giving expert guidance on how to prevent it through effective management strategies, from diet to medication.

HEPS at Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University

Thank you to Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University for hosting a health and wellbeing . It was a very eventful day with many attendees and health professionals who discussed the importance of health and wellbeing. We had a stall with our health educators who gave important health information, for example information about diabetes, dieting and exercising.

Somali Week


In a culmination of music, literature, book presentations, and a tribute to Maryan Mursal's remarkable lifetime achievements in Somali culture and music, the event, created in collaboration with Kayd, was well-attended and successful. The event unfolded with a captivating conversation featuring Abdisamad Sumcadde, an author presenting his books "Hadyad Jacayl" and "Wehel Jacayl," released in 2022. We then moved on to performances by Salad Abdulle Aadle, a poet and music composer, and Marduuf, a musician and singer. The night closed with Mustafe Ma'alin Aydid, Nimco Yasin, and Salaax.


Somali Health and Wellbeing Second annual event

This year, the second annual Somali health event was held, and the Somali community organisations once again joined forces with Brent Health Matters and CNWLH to Build on the success of the previous year. Health checks were carried out as well as, physical activities and health seminars to discuss the health risks facing the Somali community. Many people were attended to and had health checks which included BMI and blood tests. The DJ played vibrant Somali music which not only attracted more people but made an atmosphere where Families, children, health professionals, and community members gathered to enjoy the rich cultural tapestry that makes the community unique.

South Kilburn Carnivale

At Saafi, we had a blast attending the carnivale at South Kilburn open space! The event was filled with fun, music, and community spirit. We hired talented Somali dancers who added an incredible touch to the festivities with their captivating performances. Despite the windy weather, everyone embraced the joyous atmosphere, making it a day to remember. We relished the delicious food, enjoyed games and activities, and cherished the sense of unity within our diverse community. Looking forward to next year's carnivale already!

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Book launch of Boqorkayoow Heedheh and a coversation with Foodhaadhi

Yesterday at Willesden library, the eagerly awaited biography of renowned poet, song writer and human rights activist Abdi Liidan Faarah, titled "Boqoekayoow Heedheh," was launched. Authored by Ismail Yusuf Abdi, the book provides a captivating account of Faarah's extraordinary journey, highlighting his remarkable contributions to society and his unwavering commitment to the betterment of his country. Ismail Yusuf Abdi a young, accomplished writer and poet, spent 15 years meticulously researching Abdi Lidan Faarah's life to bring forth a comprehensive and intimate portrayal of the influential figure. Khaalid Foodhaadhi, a renowned journalist and social commentator was also in attendance. He spoke about his life experiences as a young journalist. This was our second public youth event for the year and we are happy it was successful with full audience. We held this event to encourage young people with interest in a career in writing and poetry.

Harleseden Library Opening day

SAAFI has been one of the leading figures in the Harlesden community. On July 1st, during the grand opening of the Harlesden library, SAAFI organised captivating performances by traditional Somali dancers. Our involvement added a vibrant cultural touch to the event, captivating the audience and enhancing the overall experience. SAAFI's dedicated to promoting diversity and celebrating cultural heritage.

Brent Hubs Partner day

As one of the steering group members, we had lively discussions at Brent Hubs Partners Day to celebrate the work we have done within the community at the 5 hubs all over the borough. We came up with ideas on how to strength the partnership and to tackle the issues facing the community.

Police Information Session with the Somali Community

We’d like to thank the Brent police for attended and sharing how they’ve policed Brent and their plans going forward. We’d also like to thank them for listening and working with us to build a better community and help bridge the gap between the police and the local community.

We’d also like to thank the victim support organisation for attended and sharing how they provided support for communities. We know for a lot of people who attended the event it was their first time hearing about the organisation and to know that their is an organisation solely to provided support to them if needed is amazing.

Women's Health and wellbeing

Edna Adan Ismail, a nurse-midwife, healthcare advocate and the winner of the prestigious 2023 Templeton Prize for her decades-long efforts to combat female circumcision and improve women's healthcare in East Africa. She delivered a captivating address at the Women's Health and Wellbeing event, which was organised by SAAFI and the Edna Adan Foundation. This gathering served as a platform to highlight the significance of women's health, with a specific focus on the profound impact of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Edna Edan, a prominent figure in the field, brought her expertise and experience to the forefront, shedding light on the critical need for awareness, education, and support surrounding women's health issues.

The event was further enhanced by the presence of a camera crew, capturing the insightful discussions and empowering moments shared throughout the day. SAAFI's commitment to raising awareness and facilitating dialogue on women's health and the harmful effects of FGM demonstrated their unwavering dedication to promoting a healthier, more empowered future for women everywhere.

Mental Health Day

We participated in the Mental Health Day event hosted at Willesden Sports Centre, where we had a stall. Our presence at the event allowed us to highlight the significance of mental health for everyone. Through our stall, we aimed to raise awareness, provide resources, and engage with attendees in meaningful conversations about mental well-being.

Brent Cost of Living Event

We attended the Cost of Living event held at the Brent Civic Centre, where numerous organisations were called upon to offer their valuable support to the local community. We would like to extend our appreciation to the Advice for Renters and Brent Council for hosting the event. SAAFI had a stall in which provided us with a valuable opportunity to showcase our organisation's expertise. We engaged with attendees on the pressing topic of the cost of living crisis and shared informative resources, discussing challenges, and offering practical solutions. Overall, the event was a huge success and we saw helped 31 people.

Health educators day

SAAFI was invited to partake in Brent’s Health Educators Day and giving a stall to showcase the work and support our health educators in Harlesden, Stonebridge and Church Road. The event was excellent, we were able to see 32 during the event and give general information.

Somali Week

We would like to thank our partners, Kayd Culture & Arts, for helping us host a successful and fun event. We would like to thank Abwann Maki Xaaji Banaadir and Durdur band for giving a very entertaining performance and finally, we would like to thank all those who attended. It was an honor to be one of the sponsors for Somali Week this year