In addition to marking essays and providing exceptional feedback, a number of Judges chose to offer Special Prizes to some of the entrants in the Essay Contest for Children of African Descent. Prizes were also offered to some of the schools.
A Very Special Thank You to the following Judges for their Special Prizes.
Karen Cargill Chloe P
Toyin Emma S P
Yaa (Lorna) Mwanakamisi Maureen Smith
Kat Oldroyd Jenny Theodule
Joy Prime
Judges' reasons include:
"Has great potential."
"He put a lot of effort into his work."
"This child expressed the wish to make people love each other and to help the poor."
"A positive vision."
"I am very impressed with your enthusiasm and ambition. I wish to encourage you in your future career. Do not let anyone discourage you from your goals."
"A wonderful and very mature essay that is relevant to every person of African descent."
"I really enjoyed reading your essay. You are very ambitious and have your sights set on an exciting future. Continue to learn and grow."
"Very good effort. Loved your creativity. Please do continue to write."
"I enjoyed reading your essay. You seem to have a very good understanding of the issues affecting young people in the UK and offered good solutions to the problems. Your essay was well researched and structured with a clear introduction, middle and end."
"Not only will you help people as a doctor but also inspire them to be like you as you know what it takes to succeed. I am pleased to award you with the popular game called Operation which is known for its use by trainee doctors in order to demonstrate the precision needed in medical professions."
"I could feel your passion as I read your piece. You have the potential to be a great writer. Be encouraged!"
"This essay was very well researched. You made a good effort to present a fair case from which some very observant conclusions were drawn."
"I would like to offer this child encouragement."
"The author's 'voice' in this essay leapt off the page and really made an impact on me as the reader."
"Good reading this positive focus for the future."
"I was really moved by your essay which I thought dealt really well with some extremely serious issues...... Your essay really made me stop and think about the future of a whole generation of children and it is for this reason that I would like to award you a special prize, for your courage in writing about these difficult issues."
This following photo was taken of the contents of a box that was sent to children from a number of schools in Lira, Uganda.
Other prizes - not photographed - included cash ranging from £5 to £30 as well as a number of books.
THANK YOU.
I received the following email from my contact in Lira acknowledging receipt of the box.
"Thanks, the consignment reached and we are going to start distribution tomorrow.
I will relay to you exactly what faces mama saw when she was distrubiting them.
If possible I will arrange a picture of the children reciving the gifts and email them to you, but the problem is mama does not have a digital camera and its quite costly down here. Thanks again and may the good Lord bless you.
hope to hear from you soon."
