The Young People’s Caribbean Carnival
Sunday 13 July 2008
Waltham Forest Young People’s Caribbean Carnival on Sunday, 13 July 2008 was a scene of vibrant triumph as we carried away the Carnival Mask trophy and the silver cup for first prize. The costumes, choreography and enthusiasm of our team convinced the judges that we are simply the best. The young winners, drawn from the Attlee Terrace Estate and local schools, were brought together through a series of workshops devised by Ascham Homes’ Rubeena Amanullah.
The performers danced along the parade route, accompanied by Ascham Homes staff members; Rubeena Amanullah, Tracey Trim, Maxine England, Raja Khan, Dulal Ahmed, Saba Zaman. The ranks of loyal supporters were swelled by friends and families.
The July sun was out, glinting on the golden headdresses, and the pulsating rhythms of carnival music, accompanied by the bells and whistles of those taking part, made it a fantastically colourful spectacle. At the end of the procession the contestants took to the stage to perform for the judges on a rostrum set up in the market place.
They took it by storm! The result was that their efforts were crowned with two magnificent trophies presented by the Mayor of Waltham Forest, Cllr Sheila Smith-Pryor.
This triumph didn’t happen overnight, regular Friday after-school workshops began as early as 23 May 2008. Between twenty and thirty young people began the design and construction of the costumes they were to wear and it was particularly gratifying that more young men than in previous years elected to join in the fun.
The participants also devised the choreography with the help of the youth workers Samantha and Dominique. It was no small achievement (and a tribute to their stamina) that they could sustain their enthusiasm after a long, hot procession, to produce a winning performance.
The support from families and friends for this project was tremendous from the outset. When congratulated on her success, Rubeena Amanullah, project leader, was quick to emphasise that this was a team effort with community backing at every stage. She also wanted to acknowledge and praise the contribution of her colleague Tracey Trim, who was on board right from the beginning.
At a time when we hear so much to the detriment of young people from this area this project shows just how much can be achieved when time, energy and resources are placed at their disposal. Ascham Homes is proud to have made such a positive contribution to the life and well-being of the youth of Waltham Forest.
