Chairman of Braintree District Council attends REVI’s 10^th Anniversary celebrations

Cllr Vanessa Santomauro joined REVI stakeholders, volunteers past and present in Braintree Town Hall on Wednesday 19th September, to celebrate a special occasion in a local charity’s history – its 10th Anniversary!

The celebration was such a significant event for REVI that the original three pioneering Community Development Workers travelled from far and wide to be there on the night! It is a testament to the local community that a charitable organisation focused on promoting the ‘Real & Enthusiastic Voice of Integration’, which REVI stands for, celebrates its tenth birthday this year.

In 2007, a new migrant workers project started that covered the Braintree District, Uttlesford District and East Hertfordshire.  The project employed three Community Development Workers, Anna Szwagiel, Małgorzata Strona and Monika Wodecka who were given the task to identify the needs of the largest migrant community and make it self-sustainable.

The group decided to choose a name and after several long discussions, REVI was chosen. REVI comes from Esperanto and means “a dream”.  In 2008, the group signed its constitution and since then REVI has participated in many events all over Essex. Today REVI has four projects: a Polish Children’s Club, a Polish Youth Club, a NEW Polish Toddlers Club and a Multicultural Forum. What is remarkable is that each initiative is built on community spirit: they all involve volunteers, donating their free time to share their knowledge and skills in order to create an environment that young people can develop their confidence, friendships and cultural know-how.

REVI has become a vibrant thread in the local cultural tapestry and we hope it is going to continue bringing colour and joy to all for many more years to come. Happy Birthday REVI!

To read about the event, as reported by Braintree and Witham Times, click here.

For photos please visit our facebook photo gallery HERE