We are delighted to have been named as Our Lady's RC High School charity partner, and across Year 8, pupilse will fundraise for our organisation, and support our work through volunteering.
To kick off the partnership, Afrocats CEO and founder Magdalen attended a school presentation to share her story and introduce the students to Afrocats, and two Our Lady's pupils wrote below about meeting her for the first time.
Miracle Ujahchuku, Year 8 pupil
'When Magdalen came into our school, the energy was electric! From start to
finish, the entire talk was engaging - we learned a lot about her story and building
up Afrocats.
Throughout Our Lady’s Black History Month, we see daily questions
relating to famous Black activists and learn more about Black Saints, and on our open evening, we saw the delights of many different cultural cuisines as
well as the habanero chicken with jollof rice.'
Nuria Emenanjo-Mosibe, Year 8 pupil
'The pupils within Our Lady’s had an opportunity to engage with an
influential figure in our local community: a founder of the charity
Afrocats, an organisation that prioritises those that are vulnerable in
our society such as youths of BAME backgrounds, asylum seekers and refugees.
Founder Magdalen delivered an effective message to the pupils by sharing her story as a refugee in the UK, carefully detailing the passions and interests she had that played a contribution to the success of her charity, from her degree specialising in creative arts, to her her actions consisting of voluntary work.
Additionally, elected members of the Diversity Team were able to
have a conversation with her. As a member that was present to this meeting, I was able to shift my approaches to everyday struggles as a 'ethnic minority.'
The topics discussed within the the 45-minute conversation were intriguing: the awkwardness and uncomfortability of being trapped in a title of 'ethnic minority,' being able to relate to others and sharing stories about traumatic racial experiences shouldn’t be normalised; the burden of educating others and the stereotypes that feel inflicted upon you when you speak about issues surrounding discrimination, for example: not wanting to be the stereotypical 'angry Black woman' when speaking about personal struggles.'
Our Lady’s RC High school has partnered with Afrocats not only
for Black History Month, but for the rest of the school year to influence
inclusion within the curriculum. The theme of 'Action not Words' displays
the physical commitments that need to be made to uplift, educate and
spread awareness on discrimination.
A good example of this motto being put into practise is the represenation the school environment has displayed to educate others - around the school, there are leaflets, providing information on Black activists that originate from Manchester, and daily competitions are hosted to find the answers to certain questions, that promote the recognition of these Black Mancunian activists.
The students themselves are active in participating for Black History Month, such as:
Year Sevens are selling bracelets showcasing the flags of popular
African countries.
Year Eights are doing an African music quiz
And Year Elevens are hosting a cultural fashion show to not only
appreciate and uplift those of Black heritage during this month, but other backgrounds too.
It is important to note for Black History Month 2022, Our Lady's have shifted the focus away from oppression and the tribulations of Black people, and instead replaced it with Black excellence and grace - which we have seen an abundance of in Magdalen.
Here's to a flourishing partnership.
Thank you to the students and teachers at Our Lady's we can't wait to work with you as your charity partner.
And if you would like to raise money for Afrocats, there are lots of ways to get involved!
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