Ever since she was a little girl, Lydia Tett Olet was drawn to the arts. After all, creativity was in her bloodline as her father had composed several Gor Mahia songs in his own time as a creative youth. Born and raised in Eastleigh in Nairobi, Lydia used to go to African heritage centres in her area to learn traditional dances, and that’s how she knew that this would be the career she would pursue.
One day, in 1992, Lydia happened to be performing in the same venue as the iconic Kenyan band Them Mushrooms. Their usual dancer was missing, and when Lydia offered to fill the role, she impressed them with her skills and was offered a permanent job. Her dance career went from local to international as she went on tour with the band, travelling to places all around the world, from Tanzania to Dubai to Switzerland.
Out of all the places she had been, Lydia fell in love with the United Kingdom. The warm reception they received at Covent Garden in London touched her, and she immediately began to plan for her relocation to the English countryside.
Thus began the journey of how Lydia danced her way from Eastleigh to London.
An Illusion Shattered
On 9th December 1995, Lydia finally emigrated to England. Her manifestations had come true, and she was ready to make a new home and launch her dance career in Europe. Much to her disappointment, the reception was completely different from what she had imagined. She was no longer being perceived as a valued member of Them Mushrooms’ entourage, but a foreign stranger.
Although it broke her heart, Lydia realised that she would have to put aside her creative pursuits for a while and find a job that would bring in a stable income as she endeavoured to settle. The only role she managed to find at the time was that of chambermaid at a hotel. Although it was not her ideal job, true to her nature, Lydia put her best foot forward, and sure enough, her efforts were rewarded as she was recognised as Best Chambermaid.
Over the years, Lydia experienced various ups and downs, but her grit and resilience ensured that she not only survived but thrived. She found her way back to her first love, dancing, when she was selected to join the Adzido Pan-African Dance Ensemble. Lydia was the only Kenyan amongst a majority Ghanaian group, and it wasn’t long before she became one of their best dancers.
Kenya & Friends in the Park
Over the years, through her many interactions with other Kenyans in the United Kingdom, Lydia noticed that many of them were experiencing bouts of loneliness and depression as a result of being cut off from their communities back home.
She, therefore, decided to organise an annual event that would bring together all Kenyans living in the United Kingdom for a day of celebration and fanfare. The event was inspired by a similar initiative by her Ghanaian comrades, and she decided to call it Kenya & Friends in the Park. When the first edition took place in 2015, Lydia was unsure what the reception would be. However, Kenyans from all around the UK turned up to celebrate with each other and connect in their new home away from home.
Kenya & Friends in the Park has now been running for nearly a decade, with thousands of attendees each year. It is not only a social affair as the event also attracts investors who help Kenyans living in the UK make smart decisions in building their generational wealth back home.
As a multifaceted creative, Lydia wears many hats as a dancer, actress, playwright and event planner, and continues to create community for herself and her fellow #KeDiasporians!