In January this year, our Year 8 student Lakshmi received an Anti-Racism leaflet at school as part of Cumbria Council’s Anti-Racism initiative. This sparked her interest and led her to join Creator Labs Anti Racist Cumbria, a monthly programme that she has been part of ever since.
Lakshmi has taken part in a variety of creative and cultural activities, including cultural cooking and poster design. Her poster, recipes, and personal story was displayed as part of an exhibition at the Anti-Racist Cumbria Summit. The event was held at The Theatre by the Lake and was so popular that it completely sold out! Lakshmi played a key role in the preparations, gaining valuable insight into her Indian heritage and developing a deep appreciation for the many other cultures represented at the event.
Lakshmi designed and produced her very own cookery booklet, featuring her story and recipes. The response was fantastic, with many copies sold at the event. Lakshmi was delighted to see her hard work and creativity celebrated and is excited to continue sharing her passion for food and culture. Following her success, there are plans for her to cook her dishes at the café where she completes her work experience every other Saturday, this time with the café’s chef acting as her sous chef. They hope to make this a special event in the new year.
Lakshmi’s journey with Anti-Racist Cumbria has not only strengthened her understanding of her own cultural roots but also developed a lasting respect for diversity and inclusion.