UPrise Fashion Show Extraveganza 2011 (video highlights and pics)

The United 4 Change Fashion Show Extraveganza took place on 2nd June at The Shoreditch Bar. It was a night that combined fashion and fun and took the audience on a journey of change through 3 key themes:child soldiers, education and fair-trade and challenged them to UPrise and fight against them. The night consisted of african drumming, fashion show, swishing, dance, poetry and so much more, with the aim to raise money for united 4 change projects in Kibera Kenya. For more info drop us a line at info@united4change.org

in the meantime check out this video for all the highlights from the event http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DEYKYIdqMlFA&h=yAQC_ALde


Also click this link to view all the pictures from the show
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150272257089462.379466.513969461

for daily updates follow us on twitter @unitedh4nge or
facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/United-4-Change/193797953986357


lots of love world changers! and stay tuned for updates on our next event

Abigail.

UPrise Fashion Show 02.06.11@The Shoreditch Bar

Press Release May 2011: For immediate release

Arise, Shine and Get Ready for…….
UPrise an extraordinary fashion event that aims to change lives, not just your wardrobe. The event offers an impressive evening of fashion and fun; comprising of a fashion show, auction, videos, comedy skits, dance, drama, African drumming and so much more!!!

Why not enter our Swish Shop!!! That’s right you’ll have the opportunityto take part in the ethical fashion phenomenon that’s sweeping the world. Simply bring at least one item of your unwanted clothing and get ready to walk out with some pre-loved goodies. As reported by Vogue, In-Style, Grazia and the BBC Swishing is a must attend growing trend.

You’re guaranteed to have and amazing time, however the Focus of the event is to highlight the journey of change through exploring 3 key themes: Child Soldiers, fair-trade and education.

Details of the event are as follows:
Time: Doors Open 6:30pm, Show Starts 7pm, Event Ends 10:00pm
Date: Thursday 2nd June 2011
Location: The Shoreditch, 145 Shoreditch High Street, Hackney, E1 6JE
Ticket Price: £5 payable on the door
Contact: info@united4change.org or tweet us @unitedch4nge

You will leave knowing how you can create change and also believing that you have the Power to create change.

So UPrise and Get Ready for…….

A Journey that explores:

 Issues surrounding injustice and Exploitation
 Which leads to Conflict where you begin to consider, why should I stand for this injustice?
 Then decide to UPrise as like-minded individuals we can come together to fight 4 change
 Change happens because there’s power in unity!!!!!

Exploitation= Conflict=UPrise= Change

check out Facebook event page to stay up to date http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=111669562249563

missions is our mission- Kenya here we come!!!

Like our page
http://www.facebook.com/pages/United-4-Change/193797953986357

or follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/unitedch4nge


to keep up to date with our journey out in Kenya!!!!!


missions is our mission

love from the United 4 Change.x

on a MISSION to CHANGE lives!!!

“Actions speak louder than words…” A well used common phrase urging one to put their money where their mouth is, but this time, not one but ten brave, inspired and a phenomenal group of young volunteers have done exactly that. On a mission to change lives, United 4 Change, through the Inspyire Program, have commissioned ten extraordinary individuals to one of the largest urban slums in Africa; the Kiberia Slums in Kenya.


The Inspyire Program, the mission trip offers a challenging and transformational journey for young volunteers and the opportunity to be physically involved in changing lives and awakening a sense of life purpose to orphans and vulnerable children, bringing hope and love. A journey also to inspire young ambassadors to be the leaders of change and setting an example to others that change is possible and every individual has the power in their hands to make a difference.

The count down has already begun!!! volunteers will be arriving on the 6th April 2011, the first ever Inspyire trip is the beginning of World Changers making history.




Through the Inspyire Program and this first ever transformational journey, United 4 Change aim to create leaders of change who are committed to using their time, passion and talent to make a difference and cause effective change to the lives of those who need it most.

Vital funds are still being raised through fundraising activities, donations and sponsorships from individuals. All money raised and collected will go towards the funding of the trip and research for resources and materials for building a Skills Centre in the Kiberia Slum for orphans and vulnerable children to learn a vocational skill to help themselves out of poverty. United 4 Change aim to establish a fully functioning Skills Centre by 2016.


for more info or to donate please contact: info@united4change.org

Fair trade - Fair change

$250 billion. That is how much developing countries lost to falling commodity prices in the space of 22 years. Commodities are things like sugar, cocoa, tea and cotton. During that same period, the prices of those same items have gone up. The farmers/producers are being paid less (despite the rising costs in their own country) and the suppliers are charging more. Now when you see a global company announcing profits in billions, you know why.


Fair trade isn’t just about getting a better deal for farmers, but also a better life. For example no business using child labour or slave labour can be registered as fair trade. To add to that the fair trade organisations also build schools, medical facilities and other infrastructure for the people they buy from. Talk about changing the world.


You can be a part of that change. Fair trade items are sometimes more expensive than other products but it is for good reason. Imagine being paid £1 for 10 hours work. In a year you would have made £365 before rent, bills and food. Impossible right? But this is their reality. The extra 10 to 20p you pay for a fair trade product does go a long way and ensures a brighter future for the producers and their children. The next time you eat that bar of chocolate, or have a cup of tea you would know that you’ve made a difference. A world where your daily routine brings change to others is a beautiful one indeed.


Go for change, go for fair trade.

Immanuel Byoma

A nation ready for change

Flashing lights, loud music and the sounds of laughter and merriment fill the air as people sway into the late hours of the night. Less than a mile away a young boy and his little sister are sifting through piles of garbage hoping to find a decent (barely rotten) meal. They don’t care about expiration dates or nutritional facts or heating instructions. They know that if something doesn’t enter their bellies soon….


This is the case in so many countries of the world. Kenya is one of those countries. With over half of the 40million strong population living in poverty, this is a nation in desperate need. The violent political clashes and nepotism have left the smaller tribes ignored by society, with almost nobody watching over them. The good news is God is watching and He cares. It’s easy to blame all this on ‘the world not being a fair place’ as if the world is doing this. The pain and hurt felt by millions of people in that land have been human inflicted and not just random coincidence.


When you see children crying, looking frail and weak how do you feel? Sure you might be sad, but you should also realise that you are not powerless. We are not to watch idly as people go through unimaginable cruelty. No, we are to be united for change and the change starts now. You could donate, volunteer to help out at an orphanage. You could also bake some cakes and help sell some T-shirts. But whatever action you take know this – that you are making a difference and you have ignited a chain of events that would one day bring liberty to many children and adults out there. One person can’t do it alone, but together, the sky becomes the floor on which we stand on! God bless you.

Immanuel Byoma

Kenya- Rural Poverty- Education a way out

Kenya is a diverse country that boasts a population of 40.8 million. Its tourism
industry is thriving and is the country's best source of income. As a country that has one of the best developed economies in Eastern Africa, it would be all too easy to overlook its problems. However Kenya is a low income country with most Kenyans living below the poverty level of $1 a day. The United Nations Development Programme’s human development index, a framework which measures a country's development in terms of life expectancy and standards of education and living ranks Kenya 148th among 177 countries.




The facts are that over 7.5 million people are living in extreme poverty with over 80 percent of Kenyans living in rural areas. Many of the rural population are forced to rely on their own farming for their food as well as income. Erratic and unpredictable changes in the climate have made an already difficult situation worse with droughts that frequently put millions of people at risk. With Kenya's growing population, this issue has the potential to become worse.



Despite a difficult and discouraging situation, it's a situation that can inspire change especially through education and a fairer distribution of wealth. Who sees the benefits of Kenya's thriving tourism industry and why are more than half of the country’s 31.3 million people poor ? Currently school fees are often out of reach for poor families, leaving each generation to continue trying to find work while lacking the education to advance. As we've established most work in rural areas comes from agriculture and so this is not always a steady supply of income. However implementing accessible education for everyone is a way of making progress and the most effective tool of empowerment there is. Education comes in different shapes and forms and its by giving people a skill- in and out of the classroom (and agriculture) that will make people aware of their potential and the kind of country Kenya can be.



Selina Nwulu

2011- Kenya here we go!!!

2011 is here! A fresh start, a new beginning, and a whole lot of fun to have! To start off, we are looking at Kenya. Kenya is known internationally for its long distance runners, game reserves and …… well I guess that’s all most people know. What they don’t know is that it is named after Mount Kenya, the second highest mountain in Africa. Its first president is Jomo Kenyatta and it’s national food is Kenya bread……Ok I made the last one up, but the rest is true. Like the mountain it’s named after, the country aims to be a giant of Africa, uniting people of different tribes and giving people the experience of a life time.


If you’ve come across Kenyans before you would have undoubtedly noticed their great sense of national pride, their heart warming personalities and the fact that not all of them can run. The way they speak their language – Swahili, is infectious, the way they talk so well of their country is distinguished and the way they stick together is inspiring. The country itself is beautiful with their white sandy beaches lined with palm trees, their forests, game reserves and my favourite – the lion hunting, cattle rearing, red hair dyeing, tall, slim stick carrying, jumping Maasais! It is so refreshing to find in the 21st century a community that stays true to themselves and have not compromised on their lifestyles or integrity.



If the country is so wonderful what do they need us for? The truth is along with the good, there often is a lot of bad. The aids pandemic has left a lot of children helpless and homeless. Corruption and ethnic violence has kept some in poverty and political inefficiencies have displaced a lot of people. It is our commitment that the dreams of the founding fathers be realised, and those without voices not be forgotten. When we make our trip to Kenya in April the aim wouldn’t be to check out the beaches or the Safaris, but to reach out to those who need the encouragement, who need to see the beauty and potential hidden within. We are united for change and this year we are changing dreams into realities.


Immanuel.