Friday, August 20, 2010

Positive ... Khalid O'Beirne
Positive ... Khalid O'Beirne
ROGER B CRUMP

Youth worker, 19

KHALID O'BEIRNE stood out with his passionate desire to write about the positive things youngsters do.

The north Londoner says: "You only ever hear negative things about teenagers. But lots of young people do positive things."

Khalid speaks from experience.

The teenager, who is of mixed Irish and Pakistani parentage, was in foster care from the age of two and admits that he was a "reckless child".

It was difficult growing up because I didn't know where I fitted in

He says: "It was difficult growing up because I didn't know where I fitted in.

"I spent time in Ireland and Pakistan. In one I was the darkest guy there and in the other I was the lightest - it was very confusing."

Three years ago his life changed when he became a volunteer worker for youth charity Connexions, going into schools and talking to young people.

He says: "I'm the first to admit that I've never been much of a writer but my strength is that I feel really passionate about what I have to say."