An Ipswich-based group for African women is celebrating after being given a six-figure boost.

Karibu African Women’s Support Group was delighted to announce to its members on Saturday that it had been awarded £127,509 in National Lottery Funding.

The group, based in Burlington Road in the centre of town, will use the cash to meet its core costs over the next three years.

Karibu was last awarded National Lottery funding of £18,500 in 2021. This boost is almost seven times that amount will go towards staff salaries and training costs, and will allow it to continue serving the community.

Karibu was founded in 2005 by Lara Uzokwe after she realised that the African community in Ipswich was struggling to provide support for families and children.

Ipswich Star: Abdul Lateef Muhammed proudly holding the cheque for £127,509. Image: Lara UzokweAbdul Lateef Muhammed proudly holding the cheque for £127,509. Image: Lara Uzokwe (Image: Lara Uzokwe)Ipswich Star: Lara Uzokwe is the founder of Karibu. Image: Charlotte BondLara Uzokwe is the founder of Karibu. Image: Charlotte Bond (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Twenty years on, the group has become a home from home for people from all different cultures and walks of life, offering sessions in cookery, exercise, dance and mindfulness.

It also offers supplementary school classes for children and chances to take part in traditional African cultural activities, such as drumming, cooking, games and storytelling.

Karibu prides itself on being a community, a new family for people building a life thousands of miles away from home. In fact, Mrs Uzokwe proudly said that someone could come to Ipswich heavily pregnant, and she could find them a birthing partner on Christmas Day.

The group now has three part-time staff members, four sessional workers, 17 volunteers and a board of trustees, chaired by Belinda Maskell.

“We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way,” said Mrs Uzokwe.

“Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to press on with the plans to broaden the range of opportunities available to our community and their families.

"We are here for everyone, irrespective of race or colour, because Karibu is about people. We are hear if there is anything somebody needs – our door is always open."