A Toxteth teenager has transformed a fly-tipped piece of land into a garden of beauty after a two year campaign to take over the site.
Khan Odita was 14 when he set up Mulgrave Street Action Group (MSAG) during his school summer holidays. MSAG's aim is to drive change and deliver a range of projects to build community cohesion and transform the area.
The Community Garden, "Urban Scape" is on land near his home on Mulgrave Street, which was plagued by years of fly-tipping and dog fouling and had become an eyesore for passers by. Khan won the Culture and Creativity Student Inspiration Award 2022, and secured Liverpool City Region Community Environment Funding, after being recognised by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram. He also received donations from the community and National Lottery to build the garden.
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Khan told the ECHO: "The journey has been challenging. This is the best work experience I will ever have, I’ve learned so much and cannot wait for the community to start making use of the space.
“Once I finish my GCSEs in summer, I’m hoping to be able to run educational and upskilling programmes and have somewhere for young people and local residents to keep busy.”
As the founder of MSAG, Khan provides direction and vision. His mum, Natasha sits as a director alongside Genna Dhalie and Brjo Nabi to represent his interests as he is not able to be a director until he is aged 18. The hard work of MSAG paid off when they received a licence from Liverpool City Council for the land.
Khan said: “Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram has been key to delivery of the project, backed with funding and provided me with many opportunities since, also local councillors; Lucille Harvey, Tomas Logan and my MP Kim Johnson as well as organisations such as Kuumba. Most of all the community who volunteered their time and helped with projects I've delivered such as 'flood the streets with flowers'."
Khan opened the garden on April 6 with Mayor Rotheram, Riverside MP Kim Johnson, Lord Mayor Roy Gladden, local councillors, and his headteacher in attendance along with community members, family and friends.
Mayor Rotheram said: "Last year I met Khan for the first time. He shared with me his vision to transform a neglected area into an urban oasis that the local community could be proud of. I’m delighted we’ve been able to help make it a reality.
“Protecting our natural environment will be one of the biggest challenges ahead. At a city region level, we're working non-stop to accelerate our transition to be net zero by 2040 – at least a decade before national government.
“But I believe every single one of us has a part to play too. Taken together, lots of small actions from ordinary people working together with a common purpose can make a massive difference, and that’s what my Community Environment Fund is all about".
Khan added: "We have an army of volunteers who have been willing to support and maintain the garden since before it was built. For now I'm having a break and concentrating on revision for my GCSEs. I have another project which I will reveal after GCSEs, in the summer months".
For information visit MSAG on Facebook HERE
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