It was a busy week for all members who have much other stuff to do in their everyday life. However, they did find the time to volunteer and contribute to the success of the Dinner, one of the best events in the town. First of all we thank all members and friends for their contribution either directly or indirectly.The preparations started just two weeks before the dinner's date. It was a difficult task to manage because we had the tickets to sell and advertise the dinner to as many people as possible, within a limited time frame of two weeks. Tickets were produced, arrangement for the venue booked and everything were moving well until just a week left, we realized that our booking for the venue had not beenconfirmed and the room was given to somebody else. We were worried about how we were going to inform all the guests about the change of venue. Fortunately for us there was a rather small but manageable venue just next door to the previous one that we could use. So we went for it and concentrated on other things.

Then we realized that we have sold more tickets than seats available, and people were still calling for a ticket which we were disappointed to inform them that the dinner was full. On Thursday the 14 th of September 2006 we started the shopping with our qualified Cooks and Chefs. We got everything ready for the big day on Friday the 15 th . We had three teams for the catering. It lasted all day and the fourth teams were in charge of the designing of the venue. The Chair Man, William Meli was around on the phone and visiting teams to make sure everything were going according to plan. By 6:30pm everything was ready and the dinner started at 7:30pm . Guests were welcome at the door by Kath Sainsbury. Among the guest were: The Worshipful Mayor of Stockton, the Worshipful Mayor of Redcar, The Deputee Chief Constable of Cleveland Police, Ali Aktar of Property Right, Mr Mo and Mr G of Good Name Estate Agent and many otherimportant guests.

The Chair Man gave the official speech and he thanked the guests and explained that TVVFJ is simply the voice of people seeking asylum and their supporters. He told them that the aims of the event is to make friends, share views and stories so that people are aware of difficulties faced by people who are already managing difficult situation. William believe that people seeking asylum are putting lots of effort back in our communities, and this invisible contribution is creating visible and positive effects to the Middlesbrough population. Just look at our town in the past 5 years: there were too many issues: Crimes, prostitution, vandalism by young people..., this was giving the town a very bad reputation in the country. Today all these issues have disappear, partly because of the hard and tireless voluntary work of people seeking asylum. Tees valley Voices for justice was created two years ago to discuss policy issues that affect people seeking asylum so that we can explain to them the meaning of some terms used in decision process, so that they are able to write and appeal by themselves were individual has no solicitor. We are hoping to have a solicitor of our own in the near future who can help our members unconditionally. The social integration of TVVFJ has led to an amendment in our constitution. We are now focus on educational activities and also organize learning trip all over the Country, so that our members can learn more about British structures and citizenship preparation.

This is what our guest had to say:

Mayor of Stockton Councilor Suzanne Fletcher said: “it‘s lovely atmosphere that is here already, we've been looking forward to come along and I'm sure we are going to have a lovely time. She said one of here charity fund is the Mary Thomson Fund and call on people to support the Charity. She gave her big welcome to all the people who have come from other lands and other countries to live nearby”

Mayor of Redcar Councilor Mary Evan and her escort said:“We are delighted to be here tonight. Thank you for inviting us, I will be coming around the room to meet you all. It is a great pleasure to seeing people from different backgrounds mixing together, in Redcar and Cleveland we have few people from different population and we generally welcome them into our life. I wish a very warm welcome to you all”

Chief Constable Ron Hugg said: “I got involved with TVVFJ some time last year when they invited me to talk about few issues of concern in the community that we police. I was actually delighted to go along and speak to member of the community to reassure them what policing was all about. What I want do is to try to extend that friendship and clarify how we can work together and create that connection. Please if there is any problem, come to us, we are on your side through the difficult time.”