[UK] 'Education is the key out of poverty'

from Leeds Today

BY SOPHIE HAZAN

DRAMA and arts and craft workshops are keeping minds ticking over this summer down at the Woodsley Multicultural Community Centre in Hyde Park, Leeds.

school children aged from five to 13 in the hope of helping to reignite their passion for the classroom.

Co-ordinator Ibrahim Lorgat, 52, who lives in Batley, set up the summer drop-in sessions for the youngsters in response to a high demand after school classes during term time had previously proved popular.

The former youth worker said: "There was no guarantee that the children would come.
"The kids we are targeting are generally disillusioned.

"We needed the parents to realise that if this was to work they would need to get involved too.

"Schools, mosques, churches – we have all worked together to make this a success."
He added: "Education is a key out of poverty. Good education will give you good jobs, better prospects, better pay and cut out the restlessness, disillusionment and dependency on benefits."

The idea behind the workshops is to keep children occupied through the long summer holidays, but also open their eyes to a spectrum of opportunities.

Workshops

Activities so far have included a day trip to Leeds University where they learned about student life.

And there are plans afoot to have guest speakers visit the group to talk about their different professional backgrounds.

Workshops are held at the Woodsley Multicultural Community Centre on Woodsley Road in Hyde Park between 1.30pm and 3.30pm on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Every child is welcome to join in as long as they are accompanied by an adult on their first visit.

sophie.hazan@ypn.co.uk