What we do
What we do
Since 2008, Afreshe has delivered a range of projects. Each one focuses on an aspect of heritage to help African children, young people and adults in Scotland build esteem in their identity, integrate into their communities and unlock their full potential.
Our Upcoming Events
Coming soon!
Our Current Activities
Back2Basics Club
Participants in the Back2Basics Club activities share an abundance of nostalgic folk tales, rhymes and rhythms. Families are the central focus of these free flow weekly sessions, with parents encouraged to join and help their children learn key phrases in their African languages.
Currently, all sessions take place online via Zoom where fun can be had in the safety and convenience of home.
If you would like to lead a Back2Basics club which teaches an African Language not already catered for by Afreshe, please get in touch!
Our Previous Events
The Spark! Career Stepping Stones - March 2021
In March, we had two fantastic young people sharing their journeys. Rutendo is currently studying for a MSc in Research Methods in Psychology and Patrick holds a
If you would like to share feedback from attending this event or are interested in being a guest speaker, get in touch via email: afreshe@afreshe.com
Guest Speakers March 2021
Rutendo Mhonda
Patrick Ogah
The Spark! Career Stepping Stones - January 2021
The Spark! is an Afreshe programme designed to help African families, including children, young people and adults to inspire and be inspired through engaging interactions on topical matters. Career Stepping Stones events within The Spark! programme contribute to the fostering of a more connected and integrated African Community that inspires, supports and encourages each other to become better contributors to society. The purpose of the events is to create opportunities for children to listen to a range of role models currently studying or working in different industries.
In January, hosted we had three fantastic young people sharing their journeys. Etienne is
film director and writer, Blaise a first-year student of Computer Game Applications Development and Pauline
is a fully qualified social worker.
If you would like to share feedback from attending this event or are interested in being a guest speaker, get in touch via email: afreshe@afreshe.com
Guest Speakers January 2021
Etienne Kubwabo
Blaise Jjuuko
Pauline Kankolongo
Pauline is a fully qualified social worker living in Glasgow, Scotland. She is also a business woman and is involved with several projects that have families at their heart including the position of Family Hub Worker at Agape Wellbeing.
Afreshe Fitness Sessions for Children
Did you know 5 - 18-year-olds should do 60 minutes of exercise per day?
With the help of Coach Sharon, child(ren) from across the UK can hit this target. Even better, these group fitness sessions are online so exercise can be done in the comfort and safety of home, all while having fun with others for FREE!
We welcome children from families of all backgrounds and statuses!
Check out our Facebook page to get the link for our next session on Saturday. Alternatively, get in touch with us via email to book your space and receive a link.
Afreshe Adult Fitness Sessions
Get fit for you with Coach Sharon!
These FREE Scottish Refuge Council funded group fitness sessions provide a supportive environment for adults of *all* backgrounds and statuses to benefit from instructor led physical activity.
Coach Sharon will help you have fun and connect with others all while training for strength and weight loss with beginner to intermediate exercises.
Check out our Facebook page to get the link for our next session on Saturday. Alternatively, get in touch with us via email to book your space and receive a link.
Christmas Party - December 2020
After a year of so much change, Afreshe was eager to gather virtually to celebrate the 2020 festive season. Our Christmas Party was much loved and got everyone up on their feet. Musical statues, TikTok challenges, Pictionary and a Christmas quiz produced smiles all round.
This year, the children's Heritage Awards will be posted directly to their homes.
Christmas Card Craft Spree
The Spark! Career Stepping Stones - September 2020
The Spark! is an Afreshe programme designed to help African families, including children, young people and adults to inspire and be inspired through engaging interactions on topical matters. Career Stepping Stones events within The Spark! programme contribute to the fostering of a more connected and integrated African Community that inspires, supports and encourages each other to become better contributors to society. The purpose of the events is to create opportunities for children to listen to a range of role models currently studying or working in different industries.
In September, we had two fantastic young people sharing their journeys. Moonga is currently studying Medicine and Mercy is an International Business graduate working in consultancy.
If you would like to share feedback from attending this event or are interested in being a guest speaker, get in touch via email: afreshe@afreshe.com
Guest Speakers September 2020
Moonga Hamukoma
Hi, my name is Moonga Hamukoma I am a 4th year Medical Student at the University of Dundee. I can’t wait to share my journey into medicine and how versatile a career in medicine can be. Outside of university, I am passionate about British Sign Language (BSL) and deaf awareness.
In my free time you will probably find me baking up a storm!
Mercy Abel
I am a 2020 university Graduate and now starting a career in marketing. In my work I help brands to become more diverse and inclusive internally with their employees and externally with their campaigns/adverts.
The Spark! Career Stepping Stones - July 2020
The Spark! is an Afreshe programme designed to help African families, including children, young people and adults to inspire and be inspired through engaging interactions on topical matters. Career Stepping Stones events within The Spark! programme contribute to the fostering of a more connected and integrated African Community that inspires, supports and encourages each other to become better contributors to society. The purpose of the events is to create opportunities for children to listen to a range of role models currently studying or working in different industries.
In July, we had three brilliant students sharing their journeys in Dentistry, Engineering and Medicine.
If you would like to share feedback from attending this event or are interested in being a guest speaker, get in touch via email: afreshe@afreshe.com
Guest Speakers July 2020
Desmond Manangazira
Nyasha Mutembwa
Olukayode Oki
Youth Mental Health Lockdown Discussion:
Life Post Lockdown/Racism Today
Baba Yangu Foundation is a non-profit organisation which launched in the UK in 2019 to complement their ongoing work in Uganda since 2010. Their main objective is to eradicate the stigma and isolation associated with Mental Health in the Black community while assisting those in need to gain access to help.
This Youth Metal Health Discussion was an insightful discussion grounded on togetherness, where everyone was given the opportunity to share their point of view. This allowed others to gain practical tips on how to maintain their mental wellbeing in an welcoming environment. We hope to create more opportunities for these difficult and progressive conversations.COVID-19 Food Support
Afreshe Board Members and volunteers supported vulnerable member families directly affected by coronavirus.
Afreshe was entrusted to distribute essential food from Scottish Governments Community Food Fund to more members and the wider public in need within the Glasgow area.
This effort was greatly appreciated by many; just look at the feedback below!
NOTE: This project is currently closed.
2.6 Challenge
In light of government guidelines limiting mass gatherings including a range of important fundraising events for various UK charities, Afreshe was excited and eager to take part in the 2.6 Challenge. Our members offered to complete a range of sponsored activities including drawing 26 rainbows, observing 26 minutes of silence, completing 26 minutes of exercise, covering 26,000 steps in 24 hours, walking for 2 hours and 6 minutes, dancing for 26 minutes and making 2600 jumps of the rope. This brilliant effort from the safety of respective homes and local areas raised £308 for Glasgow Children's Hospital Charity, exceeding the initial £300 target. Well done to everyone involved!
Afreshe Children's Christmas Party and Heritage Awards
The Afreshe Children's Christmas Party and Heritage Awards was a brilliant opportunity to celebrate the progress the children had made with their language learning in 2019. Filled with fun, games and presents to welcome the festive time of the year, this funded community celebration event proved to be a hit!
End-Of-Summer-Break-Family-Get-Together
This brilliant event celebrated the achievements of the Back2Basics Club attendees through thee love of good food and even better music! While weather triggered the decision to move the event to KATS (Kids and Adults Together in Sighthill), this certainly didn't dampen the mood as the happiness, dancing, eating, drinking and games simply continued! We hope to host more events in the name of family fun and strengthening community ties, so if you are looking to get involved, the next one should be here soon.
Festival 2018 Procession
Following on from the successful participation of Afreshe members in the 2017 Merchant City Carnival, we teamed up with Bridgeman Arts to offer another opportunity to take part in the largest summer carnival procession in Glasgow.
Silver Jubilee of Kabaka Ronald Muwenda Mutebi II Celebration
This ambitious event, which took place at The Calabash (57 Union Street, Glasgow, G1 3RB), was a hit with guests; highlights included a message from the Kabakas' Palace, games and guest presentations as well as a buffet style African meal.
Fruit Picking at East Yonderton Farm
The Afreshe 2018 Family Summer Trip on 22nd July was a day trip event to East Yonderton Farm (Walkinshaw Road, Renfrew, Renfrewshire, PA4 9LP). This gave the children, friends and families attending an opportunity to learn about how fruits grow, the concept of seasonality as well as an introduction to the farming lifestyle in Africa. All of this came along with the excitement of fruit picking - the first time in their lifetime for many. For those who were able to stay a little longer, there was also the joy of the Grand Picnic where munching on the strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, green beans and red currants could finally begin. We had a range of positive feedback for this event and believe it was a brilliant example of how we facilitate families to try great activities in their local area that they had not previously known about.
Merchant City Carnival Glasgow
In the summer of 2017, 22 individuals participated in the Merchant City Carnival as part of the Afreshe group which had the theme of "Glasgow's Coat of Arms". (A topic which the children learned about during a Back2Basics Club session). The children who were part of the carnival created costumes which represented the national bird of Uganda (Grey-Crowned Crested Crane) which features on the national flag of Uganda. It was a fantastic day filled with music and dancing!