18/06/2025
DALDHIS CHARITY
*HACKNEY SOMALI EVENT 2025*
We are extremely pleased to announce that it was a huge success. Around 280 people from across London Borough of Hackney participated and attended the event, mainly comprising of women and children. We arranged for members of the community to bring in home cooked food, drinks and sweets which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. The ladies took part in various arranged activities such as Somali dancing, henna and other social activities. This had an immensely positive impact on both children and adults as it allowed them to discharge themselves of daily pressures. It allowed them to unwind which has a wider impact beyond the event, members of the community went home feeling relaxed and fulfilled. The children played on the bouncy castle, participated in football competitions and face painting.
We received amazing feedback from the children including:
“Thank you for making this happen, it has been the best day of my life” “Will this happen every year?”
It was incredibly rewarding to see the Somali community coming together under positive circumstances and thoroughly enjoying the experience- their faces said it all! This event had a profound effect on me as it was out first event however our resources in relation to the activities and equipment were very limited. We had no funding however the event was made possible from personal contributions, both time and money, from the organisation trustees. Without their kind contributions, this event would not have been possible.
The Somali community in the London borough of Hackney is estimated to be between 3000 – 4000 and is growing at a rate. Despite the large numbers, unfortunately, the community is voiceless in the borough with no political representation or access to community facilities. There is a real lack of spaces to meet and socialise which is crucial for a sense of community and belonging. It is acknowledged that this is something that must be raised with Hackney Council however we are extremely grateful for the support and kind gestures shown by the committee management of the Wally Foster Community Centre in Homerton. We are eternally grateful for this and we will always remember that they accommodated us free of charge allowing us to celebrate the first Somali cultural celebration in the London Borough of Hackney. On behalf of the committee management of Hackney Somali Community, I would like to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers, staff at WFC and Somali community in Hackney for their support. We look forward to working in partnership with WFC for future projects.
