Community Day

Community Day Celebration 2025
Organiser:
Eastern Sudan Community Association (ESCA), London Branch
Registered Charity (since July 2024)
Operating since 2021

Event Details:

Date: Saturday, June 7, 2025

Time: 16:45 – 21:45

Venue: White City Community Centre, Central London

Total Attendance: 202 individuals

Women: 47 / Men: 48 / Youths: 34 / Children: 73

Opening Address:

Mr. Ali Khair delivered the board’s welcome speech, thanking all attendees for their participation and support in commemorating this special occasion for the community.

Objectives of the Event:

1. The celebration aimed to:

Celebrate Eid Al-Adha with the Sudanese community in London.
Promote and preserve Eastern Sudanese cultural heritage.
Support local Sudanese-owned businesses through a community bazaar.
Foster unity, cultural pride, and engagement among community members.
Provide families and children with a joyful and educational cultural experience.

Activities Overview:

Cultural Performances:
Three Sudanese artists and a live Sudanese music group performed traditional songs and dances, showcasing Eastern Sudanese heritage.

Children’s Entertainment:
Art-based activities and two trampoline zones created a fun and safe environment for children of all ages.

Recognition Ceremony:
Acknowledged five dedicated community volunteers and honoured two distinguished women for their outstanding contributions.

Football Team Recruitment:
Coach Ammar Al-Qadi invited parents to enrol their children in the ESCA youth football team.
Ammar explained that the project meets family priorities in the following ways:
Sports activities provide numerous benefits for young people, helping improve physical health by increasing fitness, strength, and overall well-being. Sports also support mental health by reducing stress and anxiety and boosting self-esteem.
Football brings together different sections of the community. While priority is for Eastern Sudanese young people, it is open and welcoming to all. Indeed, teams already consist of many nationalities represented across West London, supporting integration, building understanding and connection across different communities.
A permanent physical presence for the community, such as the football club, can improve space, place, and a sense of belonging and ownership for a relatively recent diaspora community. It will provide easier access and more meaningful and regular activities, increasing reach and representation at the earliest stage possible.

Community Bazaar & Refreshments:
Local Sudanese vendors presented a variety of traditional foods, drinks, and cultural crafts, providing both nourishment and cultural immersion.

Target Audience:

Sudanese families and individuals based in Hammersmith and Fulham.
Broader local community members interested in Sudanese culture and social inclusion.

Expected Benefits:

Promotes cultural pride and preserves intergenerational knowledge.
Supports local entrepreneurs and artisans within the community.
Strengthens ESCA’s visibility and community trust.
Encourages inter-family connections and social inclusion.
Provides a safe and enriching environment for children and youth.

Organisational Background – ESCA Briefly:
The Eastern Sudan Community Association (ESCA) is a UK-based charity founded by Sudanese individuals from the Eastern region of Sudan, officially registered as a UK charity since July 2024.

What Makes ESCA Distinct:
Although some may confuse ESCA with other Sudanese organisations, ESCA is unique in its values, community-driven approach, and targeted support for Eastern Sudanese identity and integration efforts.

As part of celebrating the efforts made in serving the community, the Eastern Sudan Community Association honoured several distinguished individuals and volunteer team members who actively contributed to serving the White City area community.

Honourees:

Ms. Fatima Ahmed: Honoured in recognition of her efforts in serving the White City area community in the social field over the past years.
Teacher Amal Ali: Honoured in recognition of her efforts in teaching at the Sudanese school in the White City area over the past ten years and her role in childcare.

Honoured Volunteer Team for 2024/2025:
In appreciation of their efforts in making community events successful and their direct impact in serving association members, certificates of appreciation were distributed to the volunteer team consisting of:

Mr. Amir Abdulwahid – Social Service Team
Mr. Yazeed Mohamed Noor – Member Services Team
Ms. Rania Tawfiq – Woman Support Team
Ms. Ryan Idris – Youth Support Team
Abu Bakr Omar – Senior Support Team

Attendees' Comments on the Volunteers' Appreciation:
The comments were positive. Some attendees said the initiative was beautiful and wonderful, motivating the workers and volunteers at ESCA to put in great efforts. The honours were met with enthusiastic applause. Some of the honourees also spoke, thanking the board of directors for the appreciation and recognition of their efforts.

Mission the Organizers Intended to Convey:

Empower youth through sport, culture, and physical activities
Reduce isolation and promote social inclusion
Offer supplementary education and vocational training
Preserve Beja cultural arts and language
Build a cohesive, intergenerational community of Eastern Sudanese heritage

Funding & Expansion Goals:
Funded by monthly contributions from members (families and individuals), ESCA is currently seeking new premises to expand its services for both the Sudanese and wider community. Potential uses include workshops, training sessions, youth clubs, and cultural programming.

Regulatory Compliance:
ESCA holds accreditation from official UK bodies, has appropriate liability insurance, and adheres to all required health and safety standards.

Conclusion:
The Community Day Celebration successfully gathered more than 200 participants in a vibrant display of culture, unity, and community service. Through inclusive activities, recognition ceremonies, and support for local vendors, ESCA strengthened its role as a dynamic and forward-looking community organisation.
We thank everyone who contributed to the success of this day and invite continued support and collaboration in future ESCA initiatives.

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