READING residents were treated to a fun-filled community event celebrating the town’s diversity on Saturday, August 6.
The latest Kenyans in Reading Family Fun Day delighted all who attended, featuring activities, competitions, collective spirit and a succulent barbecue.
Organiser Ken Gathere was full of praise for the event’s success, saying: “When we started seven years ago, I never thought [the fun day] would get this big.
“It was meant to be a small barbecue gathering after my mother passed, but we picked up this August date annually and it’s just grown.”
“Our event especially gives less privileged kids who can’t go on holidays the opportunity to go back to school and say they went for a fun day, enjoyed it and met loads of new people.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-kYiAJ7Po0
The highlights of the event were the sports competitions, which saw visitors old and young compete for prizes in running and other athletic disciplines.
Food stalls provided a taste of Kenya and countries further afield in a true celebration of all of Reading’s many cultures.
Information stalls featured Mojatu Foundation, Utulivu Women’s Group and Royal Berkshire Hospital’s patient experience engagement team, who conducted on-site health checks.
Mr Gathere said: “We were really excited to bring the community together and to interact with other communities.
“Through our event, we showed visitors what Reading is all about and how open and welcoming we are to visitors.”
The organiser expressed his gratitude to those who made the event possible, particularly Wokingham Borough Council and Winnersh Community Centre.
He also thanked Thames Valley Police for attending, the surrounding neighbourhood for accommodating the event and gave a specific shout-out to Chris, the facility’s caretaker, who has helped out at the event since its inception.
“I can only say we felt humbled and the occasion will forever be ingrained in the Kenyan community’s hearts,” Mr Gathere said.
“We thank Reading and the country for sharing these opportunities. May God bless the Queen and the UK, we are so humbled.”
