Seven young building apprentices and four members of staff from the Shard End Community Building Project are packing their tools for a once in a lifetime construction project - to rebuild a school in Azad Kashmir.

To fund the unique trip the teenage trainees secured £9,000 from the Youth Opportunities Fund and raised £4,500 themselves through sponsorship from local businesses and fundraising activities.

As a result of the funding the building apprentices will travel to Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir, to work with members of the community to help rebuild a school building destroyed by a devastating earthquake that occurred in 2005, in the northern area of Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, killing an estimated 80,000 people.

The Shard End Community Building Project, based at The Pump in Kitts Green is a partnership between Birmingham City Council Youth Service, Connexions, South Birmingham College and the READ Foundation.

-- Advertisement --

It is supported by The Prince’s Trust with the aim of helping young trainees (aged 17-19) to get on the ladder towards employment and a successful career in the construction industry.

Councillor Les Lawrence, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: "This is a unique opportunity for this group of dedicated young people from Shard End to make a positive contribution to the lives of thousands of people abroad, making them international ambassadors for Birmingham.

"They will help to create a school, enhancing their building skills which will no doubt impress future employers, and at the same time gain valuable life skills such as teamwork, self-reliance, responsibility and how to communicate to people in an unfamiliar environment."

Ruary Marquis Johnson, 19, one of the seven young people flying to Rawalakot, said: "I have been involved with the Shard End building project for over two and a half years, and during this time I have learnt to work as part of a team, and raise money to fund this project through sponsorship events, tombola stalls and bids to charities and local companies.

"I have learnt a lot about myself and I am looking forward to helping those people who were affected by the earthquake in 2005."

The group will fly out on Tuesday 23 October and return on Sunday November 11.

(JM)