Asylum seeker, Lea Valley Park, local community, Walthamstow Marshes, young people,
Wednesday 4th August 2010
Young people from the UCKG’s Victory Youth Group (VYG) took part in a community outreach event on Saturday 24 July in Walthamstow, helping to renovate Lea Valley Park. Their aim was to make a positive difference in their local community and help change negative stereotypes of young people, as part of a London-wide initiative.
The UCKG approached the local authorities across the capital, arranging for a team of youths from the local VYG to undertake a task of benefit to the wider community.
The Lea Valley Regional Park Authority recognises the importance of involving young people in the community and was keen to accept the offer. Working with Pavola Cabral and Marco Andrade of UCKG’s Community Outreach team, they arranged for 32 young people from VYG to help with the digging of ponds and the removal of problem species, including ragwort and goats-rue from the Walthamstow Marshes, part of Lea Valley Park.
Malcolm Koroma, 19, who participated in the event in Walthamstow, said: “I believe the clean up was great as we didn’t just sweep a garden or clean a lift, we dug holes that will be turned into ponds. It’s something we can look back on and say we helped make that happen.”
Marco Andrade added: “Youths are often blamed for causing trouble and disturbances in their local communities. Yet as we know in the VYG, many young people are really keen to make a positive impact on the communities in which they live. We hope this community outreach event will help to change attitudes toward young people.”
The VYG is the youth ministry of the UCKG HelpCentre, which works to help young people develop their full potential. The VYG started in the UK in 1996 and has been growing steadily with branches in many parts of the country. Over 1,300 young people attend the youth centres every week, sharing sessions that include practical teaching, fun and spiritual development.
Note to editors:
UCKG is a Christian church and registered charity that offers a range of practical support activities alongside spiritual support and comfort. It was formed in 1977 and is active in 176 countries as a church in the mainstream Pentecostal tradition. It reached the UK in 1995 and there are 39 UCKG branches in England and Wales.
