African Families in UK charity co-founder honoured by King

Jacqui Gitau, who is also the charity’s lead for Oxfordshire, has been made an MBE for her services to migrant families in the county.

African Families in the UK is a Community Interest Company that was formed in 2015 to support African diaspora families in the UK to get the best outcomes for their children through training and information on education, health and social care.

Through targeted initiatives, the charity aims to bridge the gap on various fronts, including food security, digital divide and other inequalities prevalent in health and education.

The charity also offers parent training and seminars to help achieve its goals as well as hosting activities and events to promote positive cultural practices.

“Oh my goodness, I don’t think I’ve got my head around it yet,” a jubilant Ms Gitau said.

She holds a first degree in community family development from Oxford Brookes and a masters degree in childhood studies.

With co-founder Rachel Walton, the duo started out as volunteers meeting in a library in Blackbird Leys, where women discussed the differences in parenting between the UK and their countries of origin.

She arrived in the UK from Kenya with a 17 month old baby and no support. Her husband had to work and she had no family around to help.