Walk for Africa stops at Elstree school (From Borehamwood Times)

Walk for Africa stops at Elstree school

8:19am Wednesday 2nd July 2008 in News By Caron Kemp

An African refugee, who walked 125 miles barefoot from Derby to London to raise awareness of the problems affecting the region, visited an Elstree school yesterday.

Emmanuel Neba Fuh, 34, originally from Cameroon, began walking from Derby on June 16 with the assistance of two fellow refugees from Zimbabwe - Khumbula and Tafi - travelling through Leicester, Northampton, Dunstable and St Albans before reaching Elstree yesterday.

The walk, aimed at persuading the international community to engage in a sustainable response to the genocide in Africa, culminated in a meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Downing Street today.

Along the way, Emmanuel spoke to more than 1,000 schoolchildren to explain to them the situation in Africa and his visit to St Nicholas Primary School in St Nicholas Way was the last of his planned talks.

He said, following the assembly with some 125 children aged seven to 11: "The inexplicable human rights violations in Africa has reduced families to Negroid slavery conditions, with many African leaders donning slave masters shoes.

"I believe that every young person in this country is a potential Prime Minister and if we can start giving them an understanding of what's happening on the other side of the world then when they grow up they will be able to put pressure on people and create opportunities to prevent dictators from ruling these parts."

His talk highlighted the political strife which has made Africa the poorest continent despite being one of the richest in terms of resources.

Emmanuel, who moved to Derby in 2001 and has three children, hopes the walk will put pressure on the British Government to help tackle the problems.

The walk was coordinated by a project called Derby For Africa Initiative which aims to stop genocide and make human rights for all Africans a reality.

Reverend Karen Gardiner of St Nicholas' Church in Elstree hosted the men as they passed through the village.

She said: "I think it's really important that our children grow up with a worldwide awareness and this is one way they can understand that we might come from different places but we're all brothers and sisters and we have a responsibility towards one another and can learn from each other so it's a good experience."

Harry O'Sullivan, 11, said after the assembly: "It was really inspirational because they are walking for their country. I'm going to save water for Africa now."

Wendy Obikwee, 11, added: "People there are not being treated well. They don't have a say. I'll try to remember when I am having my food that some people don't have."

For more information on the walk visit www.derbyforafrica.org