Teacher founded youth organisation promoting leadership and positivity

A LATCHFORD head teacher swapped the classroom for a conference room in Iraq.

John Sharples, from Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School, was invited as a keynote speaker to HOBY Iraq, a youth leadership programme.

Last year Hanaa Ghazawi from HOBY Iraq attended the HOBY UK seminar at Lancaster University and was inspired to create her own in Iraq.

John is the founder of HOBY UK, which started in 2007.

The scheme offers sessions to help develop leadership potential for year 10 pupils.

John said: “I know how difficult it is to get something like this off the ground and I am very impressed by what the HOBY Iraq team has achieved.

“All the young people have thoroughly enjoyed themselves and have gone away inspired to make a positive difference in their community.

“One boy said to me, ‘These have been the best two days of my life’ and I think that really summed up the impact of the event.”

While in Iraq John also met up with a number of organisations working in the region “Everyone was concerned when I said I was visiting Iraq,” added John.

“Of course there are unsafe areas as there are anywhere, but Erbil in Kurdistan certainly isn’t one of them.

“It’s a thriving, vibrant city with ancient traditions and a rich culture.

“The young people of Iraq have been through a lot, but they really love their country and have a vision for a better future there. They are passionate about playing a part in making this a reality.”

The next HOBY UK youth leadership seminar takes place in Lancaster this weekend.