The Afghanistan and Central Asian Association (ACAA) hosted another successful event called Ukraine Networking Event for the refugees from Ukraine living in London on Friday 10th March 2023. We had close to 100 people attending the event. 90% of attendees were refugees from Ukraine living in West London. We also had our project partners and councilors from boroughs in West London. In consideration of the children that attended the event, entertainment stations were set up at tables, including stations for face painting, colored drawings for children, and style artist Ludmila Zavalli.
The event commenced with a breathtaking musical performance by singer Ludchak Galyna. This was followed by an address to the attendees by our Director, Dr. Nooralhaq Nasimi MBE. Dr. Nasimi thanked all the attendees for joining us and expressed our continued desire to support them and all Ukrainian refugees who need our help and services.
Following the address by Dr. Nasimi, a musical interlude took place, consisting of a beautiful violin orchestra duet, conducted by Maksym Kravchenko.
The attendees loved the performance and showed their appreciation. Meanwhile, the children enjoyed themselves, engaging with the face painting station and creating their art. The event was in full flow.
After the wonderful performance by the violin orchestra duet we had one of our keynote speakers who is our project partner Andriy Marchenco, head of the Ukrainian Association in Great Britain speak. He supported all the refugees and expressed gratitude and appreciation towards ACAA and its services to the vulnerable community.
Next, dinner was served to the attendees, and a musical performance accompanied the meal. Ludchak Galyna performed yet another extravagant melody and the children joined in with the performance, taking to the dancefloor and entertaining their audience.
Hosting this successful networking event for Ukrainian Refugees has resulted in having more newly arrived refugee families from Ukraine register under our project to access our services. This quarter, we are also implementing new services like yoga classes, NVQ training courses, supplementary school, and mental health counseling sessions. ESOL classes, citizens advice, art class, and legal advice are currently running with full potential at our center.
This event also resulted in bringing the Ukrainian community together (people who are impacted by the war in Ukraine) and people from different areas of expertise for networking opportunities along with entertainment.
Shortly we will be having a Job Fair for Ukrainian Refugees (end of March) and a Ukrainian Refugees Week Festival on June 25th, 2023.