Daisy Byaruhanga

I’m a single mum. When I moved from Uganda to Britain, 20 years ago, my first point of contact was Haringey, which I now consider to be my home. I came out of Seven Sisters station, on the Victoria Line, to look for my friend who lived off West Green Road. There I met other Ugandans and their friends from other countries: Nigeria, Congo, Ghana, sometimes Britain as well, Ireland, Turkey, the Caribbean.

We started socialising in Tottenham, where I was introduced to a Charity at Selby Centre, I started volunteering, and I later got a paid job in Haringey. I felt welcome. Above all I enjoyed the diversity and the rich cultures I got exposed to. Diversity is great here and it’s good for me to see many other black people, I don’t feel lonely then and I know I am accepted, understood. My daughter has grown up in Haringey and in her childhood and teenage years was always involved in so many activities for young people. The borough really gives the chance to share idea and problems.

In 1995 I was caring for a family member at North Middlesex Hospital and together with other residents of Haringey, who also had patients in the hospital, we formed a support group to fill the gap in care services for people living with HIV/AIDS. We later registered our Group as a Charity, called Innovative Vision Organisation. For 15 years we have continued to provide care and support services, advocacy and HIV prevention information and campaign in Haringey and the neighbouring boroughs of Enfield, Barnet, Waltham Forest, Hackney, New Ham and Towerhamlets and Redbridge. It has not been always easy but we always sorted out the problems that faced us.

My life motto is NEVER GIVE UP! I used that in my fight against AIDS, and in my funding campaigns. Even when the odds are against you, don’t quit: we will all succeed in the end! I am proud to be associated with Haringey. I have a dream to become a Politician, a Member of Parliament for Tottenham, one day.