Actions Not Words with Our Lady's RC High School

We are delighted to have been named as Our Lady's RC High School charity partner, across the year students will fundraise for us and support our work through volunteering and more.

To kick off the partnership our CEO and founder Magdalen joined a school presentation to share her story and introduce the students to Afrocats. Two Our Lady's students provided this excellent write up about our new partnership.

Miracle Ujahchuku Y8

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. On Our

Lady’s Open Evening, we saw the delights of many different cultural cuisines as

well as the: ‘Habanero Chicken with Jollof Rice’.

Nuria Emenanjo – Mosibe Y8

Having an influence on the pupils

The pupil’s within Our Lady’s had an opportunity to engage with an

influential figure in our local community: a founder of the charity

“AfroCats” (an organization that prioritizes those that are vulnerable to

our society: youths of BAME backgrounds, asylum seekers, refugees,

etc..). 

The founder, Magdalen, delivered an effective message towards our

pupils. The founder of Afrocats shared her upbringing and introduction

to a new environment (migrating from Barbados, to stay in the UK), her

story 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, Our

Lady’s students were able to understand a perspective that wouldn’t

necessarily be considered, in the curriculum or modern-day society. 

Additional to this, elected members of the Diversity Team were able to

have a conversation with the optimistic individual, surrounding

controversial topics viewpointing on racial issues. 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 deeply intriguing: the awkwardness and uncomfortability of being trapped in a title of “ethnic minority”; being able to relate to others and sharing stories on 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 (example: not wanting to be the stereotypical “angry black woman” when speaking about personal struggles).

“Actions not Words” being placed into practise

Our Lady’s RC High school has partnered with this organization not only

for Black History Month, but for the rest of the school year to influence

inclusion within the curriculum. The theme: “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 placed 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. Daily competitions are hosted,

to find the answers to certain questions, that promote the recognition of

these Mancunian Black activists. 

The students themselves have become deeply engrossed in participating

in activities for Black History Month:

-Year Seven’s are selling bracelets showcasing the flags of popular

African countries.

-Year Eights are doing an AfricanMusic quiz, uplifting afro beats,

something deeply saturated within African and Carribean cultures.

-Year Eleven’s are deciding to host a cultural fashion show, not only

uplifting those of black descent during this month… but other

backgrounds and appreciating them.

This is all done to the benefit of fundraising for Black charities, such as

Afrocats. The form that makes the most profit, is rewarded a takeaway

at a local small-black owned business.

Something that needs to be praised is the fact that this Black History

Month, we have stirred away from focusing on the oppression and

tribulations of black people, and instead replaced it with recognises black

excellence and grace.

Thank you to the students and teachers at Our Lady's we can't wait to work with you as your charity partner!

If you would like to raise money for Afrocats there are lots of ways to get involved!