BBQ Grills and Accessories

London, UK August 24, 2004 -- A unique project has been running quietly in the London Borough of Newham for twelve weeks. Interfaith forums and community cohesion are overused terms, but in practice not many projects move beyond the initial public debates. ICSS is a Supplementary School supporting Pakistani, Bengali, and Indian students and the wider Muslim community, however it is based in a Christian Community Centre, and partnering with local schools. ICSS is a project that both recognises and understands the serious issues young Muslims face, but also understands the need for Muslim organisations to partner and work closely with local authorities and local schools.

Although the school was only started this year it has reached 50 students, and has a regular volunteer teaching staff of 15 people. The volunteers include 3 fully trained teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, businessmen, artists, and students.

ICSS does not intend to replace the excellent work the local schools are doing but hopes to help bridge the gap that some of today's young children are feeling, and help provide positive role models in a time when the media is working overtime to provide negative ones. All our teachers have been through the British Education system and can help work with parents whose first language is not English, and help students attain all that they aspire to in their careers without compromising their religious beliefs.

Recently local schools, LEAs, voluntary services, and religious organisations were invited to visit the school and attend the "Working Together" BBQ. Here is some of the feedback:

"The BBQ was an excellent idea of bringing together parents, teachers, students, Newham LEA and other organisations. It was enjoyable and social. I was impressed by the speeding growth of your school, the professionalism of the whole team and the passion and commitment of people involved in the project. We do enjoy working with you. You will probably need a bigger venue for the next year's getting together, so many people� A good sign!"

Jun Ding - Resource Unit (Organisation assisting all UK Supplementary Schools) (www.resourceunit.com)

"I, along with Cllr. Sardar Ali, was really impressed for your initiative for community involvement, the project itself and the spirit of volunteering by those young people. It was a great experience to visit and enlightening that how much can be done with sincerity."

Councillor Sardar Ali & Councillor Abdul Karim Sheikh (London Borough of Newham)

"Thank you very much for introducing us to your supplementary school and inviting us to your BBQ. It was really interesting and the whole thing had such a welcoming enjoyable atmosphere. Perhaps one of the most instantly striking things was that the kids all seemed to love coming in to classes and that must be a real indication that you are on the right track and that you have the right people involved."

Hugh Dames - School Works (Organisation supporting lifelong learning in local communities) (www.school-works.org)

"Outstanding wealth of community and team spirit. Well organised with lots of great food."

Sofina Ahmed - London Muslim Newspaper

"Many thanks for inviting me to the BBQ. I enjoyed myself in spite of the weather. It was extremely interesting to meet your colleagues and to hear about the work you are doing. I was particularly impressed about the inclusive nature of the scheme and the fact that you are trying to raise standards for those most in need. It is encouraging that so many of you are giving your time voluntarily and I wish you all the best for the future."

Councillor Jo Corbett (London Borough of Newham)

"I was really impressed by the kind of additional support that you provide voluntarily to those children. This will definitely boost the education achievement of those pupils. Keep it up."

Samy Kuttiyandisamy (Newham LEA)

"Everybody has a part to play in their community and we all have a vast array of skills to contribute, and mine was to teach. I knew that the Supplementary school would be an excellent way of using the experience I have gained as a primary school teacher to help children who would otherwise have no extra support available to them. It is also important for the young children to see and identify with the positive Muslim role models which are provided by the dedicated and very professional volunteers every week."

Allia Nisar (Local Primary School Teacher & ICSS Volunteer)





This article courtesy of .
You can freely reprint this article on your website or in
your own newsletter provided this courtesy notice and the author
name and URL remain intact within it.

Submit Your Article