A trip packed with Eastern promise

OFF TO LAHORE. . . Laura Critchley

Laura plans to forge friendships with students from Pakistan

AN OLDHAM student is jetting off to Pakistan in a bid to establish links with young people there.

Laura Critchley, of Porter Street, Werneth, will meet youth groups and organisations in Lahore to see for herself how they operate.

The 18-year-old says she is looking forward to the week-long trip despite the recent tensions between India and Pakistan over the horrific Mumbai attacks.

She explained: “The trip is a really good opportunity.

“I have always had a great interest in the Pakistani culture and would like to understand it better.

“I am a little anxious about the country’s tensions with India but I don’t think that the British Council, which has organised the visit, would have allowed us to go if it wasn’t safe.”

Laura who is studying psychology, philosophy and English literature at Oldham Sixth Form College, sets off tomorrow.

She will take part in a presentation about life as a young person living in Oldham, visit Lahore University, and exchange tourist information.

Laura will be accompanied by Fiona Pickles, the youth volunteer development manager for Vinvolved as well as another youth group from Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester Youth Network runs Vinvolved (youth volunteering) projects in Oldham, Manchester and Bury.

Each youth organisation will be linked with a partner in Pakistan, with whom they will have regular contact.

Fiona said: “It’s the first time we will be taking part in these visits. The idea is to learn about each other’s cultures.

“The trip is a positive opportunity for Oldham in terms of learning about the Pakistani culture and building relationships with young people in the country.”