The focus
at Ishango is to raise the educational achievements of African Caribbean
young people. Providing a place for guidance, help, support and encouragement
with learning during out of school hours.
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| Lessons
at Ishango |
Encouraging
them to take up and succeed in Science, Mathematics, Engineering,
Technology, Medicine and other related subject areas. Realising
their full potential and pursuing high flying careers as doctors,
scientists and engineers.
| Learning's
fun at Ishango ... |
Run
by project manager Karen Gardiner, the club reflects the cultural
background of the children that attend. Six days a week children
aged between 8 - 16 attend lessons in English Literacy, Science
and Maths.
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| Karen
Gardiner - Project Manager |
"We
have grown from nothing to being a very successful science club.
The teachers, parents and children are all committed to the club.
My motivation is the enthusiasm and success of the children - explains
Karen.
"Ishango
helps children to develop a more positive attitude when it comes
to learning and studying. There’s a lot of peer pressure for
young black children growing up. Ishango helps to motivate them.
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| Learning
at Ishango |
"Just
one of our many success stories is a student who recently graduated
from Ishango and got 11 A*’s in her GCSE’s. She has now
gone on to to study medicine at University.
"Our
children are under achieving at school. They
need more care, support and facilities like Ishango to help them."
(All
pictures were taken with the permission of the parents and should
not be reproduced without the permission of BBC Birmingham Website.)
| Raising
the standards ... |
 |
| Maxine
Howell - a teacher at Ishango. |
Science,
Biology and Chemistry teacher, Maxine Howell, has been teaching
at Ishango for just over two years.
"The
main aim at Ishango is to raise the standards of our children, keeping
them motivated and interested. We have a desire to see children
who are often labelled as failures, succeed. I’m always amazed
at the progress of the children and their dedication.
"I
like the cultural consistency here at Ishango.
It's not just simply about respecting people because they have more
power than you. It’s about having respect for each other."
| Breaking
down stereotypes ... |
Maxine
has been involved in extensive research projects looking at the
expectations and aspirations of young black children and their future
careers.
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| Learning
at Ishango |
"Here
at Ishango we address the needs of the children, helping them to
realise that the most successful black people they are aspiring
to be actually have a very good grounding in education and discipline.
"They
have aspirations to go into certain professions but they don’t
see a lot of black people doing them.
"Expectations
of black children are within a stereotype. Here at Ishango that
is broken down. We let them know they can achieve anything they
want to. Always raising their expectations."
| Black
heroes past and present … |
Motivational
quotes and sayings fill the walls at Ishango, alongside black historical
figures, scientists and inventors. Lesson projects include researching
the great contributions that black people have made towards the
development of the society we live in today. Present day Black professionals
are often invited to take part in lessons. Project manager Karen
explains:
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| Karen
and children at Ishango |
"Alot
of parents and children are not sure about their heritage and are
not aware that there are successful black doctors, scientists, and
mathematitions amongst other high achievers. While parents and children
wait for the lessons to start, they can read all about them.
"The
black heritage involvement in the lessons is used to enhance their
education and make the lessons more exciting and interesting."
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| Miss
English |
Miss
English, a Maths teacher at Ishango, has a background in mechanical
engineering. She would like to see more young black women go into
the profession.
"I
want to particularly encourage young girls to go into the engineering
sector. It’s well paid, you travel the world for free and you're
respected as being a professional. I want to open our children's
eyes to what’s beyond their expectations.
"I
enjoy teaching at Ishango because I feel as though I am giving back
to the community, the same community that helped me to achieve my
goals."
Ishango
mission statement
Our
key objective is to advance the educational achievements
and career aspirations of young African-Caribbean people.
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