Pop-up school desperately in search of donors as exclusion rates rise

A charity which runs free pop-up schools to promote educational justice for marginalised communities is desperately in need of donations.

Akoma is an education charity for black girls aged eight to 14, based in Lewisham, Sao Paulo and Ghana.

The South London branch, which runs in the school summer holidays at Lewisham Art House in Lewisham Way, New Cross Gate, offers workshops led by artists, musicians and material designers to develop community exhibitions.

The charity is looking for donations to commission specialists from a range of industries including art and design, STEM and the cultural sector to teach this year’s summer programmes.

This comes as new data revealed that the rate of black Caribbean girls being kicked out of schools across the country has tripled within the past year.

The data comes from a Freedom of Information request submitted to the Department of Education by Agenda Alliance, a group of more than 120 charities and front line organisations.

Delali Kalitsi, founder of Akoma, said: “This work is important to reshape the narratives of black girls in the education and cultural sector.

“Many times, their systemic push-out from these spaces is ignored and depends largely on youth advocacy and resource access.

“Racial profiling, environmental factors and poverty are all issues which play a role in the misrepresentation of black girls, and can deter their capacity to thrive.

“In light of what has recently happened to Diane Abbott and the reports of hate crimes against black pupils in the UK, we feel that this work is essential more than ever and deserves undivided attention from potential stakeholders.” 

To donate visit Akoma’s Crowdfunding page here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/popupschool24?utm_term=3mgYMnMJe

Pictured top: Young girls taking part in an Akoma workshop (Picture: Akoma)