– Here we have all the things to get a fresh fade. At the hairdresser’s salon at Lofsrud School, Abdullah finds a shaver. He is getting ready to cut the hair of his fellow student, Selim Gence. – I trust him, says Selim. Muhammad Abdullah Wilayat finds the equipment he needs to get started. The sound from the shaver is like that of any normal hairdressing salon. – It is often full here, says Abdullah. I usually spend half an hour on each client I have, he adds. CUTTER: Abdullah cuts hair at Lofsrud school. Photo: Siv Johanne Bjørkly Seglem / news Abdullah’s dream is to become a hairdresser and at school he gets to try his hand both during and after school. Lofsrud School has an after-school activity offer called more open school on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The offer was started so that the young people at Mortensrud would spend more time inside than out in the evenings. Pupils, together with environmental workers, are employed as well-being managers. They must ensure that there is a good environment at the school’s evening offer. You can see Helene checking out Mortensrud on NRK1 on January 11 at 20.00 and in the news TV online player. Those who live at Mortensrud work to create a safer environment. See how in “I Helene checks out”. Environmental team leader Natasha Nahavandi explains that there are many reasons why open school is important at Mortensrud. She also has experience with an open school from the Grantangen school in Furuset. There she has worked as a teacher. – It’s everything from cramped quarters to finances. That you don’t have the opportunity to be at home because there are many people at home, says Nahavandi. She adds: – Or maybe can’t afford to pay for things to do after school. At the hairdresser’s salon at Lofsrud School, Helene gets to see how the students cut a good fade. Will show the good sides Together with Abdullah we meet Lania and Mustafa. They will show off the good sides of the area. They believe that the area is often talked about in a negative way. In recent years, there have been several serious incidents that have affected the local environment, such as the murder of Hamsa Hashi Adan in 2021. For the young people, the school offer means a lot. WANT TO SHOW THE GOOD: Mustafa on the left, Lania and Abdullah hope more people see the good in Mortensrud. Photo: Siv Johanne Bjørkly Seglem / news – In any case, I find that it is often people who do not live here who have a critical image of Mortensrud. We who live here use these offers instead of hanging out on the streets, says Lania Najmadin. This is not unusual for the young people at Lofsrud School. “Outdoor space” is especially important for those who live in tight quarters. Cooperation with the police Lofsrud school has previously had challenges with, among other things, violence and threats at the school. Environmental team leader Nahavandi sees the effect of having an evening offer at the school and says that the school has close cooperation with the district and the police. – As of now, we are receiving feedback from the police that none of our current students are in the police’s spotlight, she says. The headmaster says that the young people at Lofsrud often end up hanging out at Mortensrud when they have nowhere to be. – It’s about the fact that not everyone has the basement living room that allows them to bring friends home, explains principal Trond Nilsen. He continues: – We know that they then become more vulnerable in the form of encountering unfortunate environments that might want to recruit them. We have the opportunity to offer them safe role models outside of school as well. The pupils say that it feels safe to be at school in the evening. – Since we got the offer, I am here more than I am out, says Mustafa Mert Caglar. And Lania adds: – You don’t let just anyone in. There are many schools that do not have such offers and then you are out because you have nowhere to be in the evening. Being more open affects us positively because we know we can go somewhere where we can talk to someone. “I Helene checks out” tells the young people that they are fed up with Mortensrud’s bad reputation. Wants the young people to have a place to be The evening offer properly started in autumn 2021. The district receives 5 million a year which goes to environmental therapists, outdoor contacts and a coordinator who coordinates several of the activities that take place at Mortensrud. This is money given by the city council as an investment in Mortensrud. MANY OFFERS: Lania uses the offer to prepare for working life. Photo: Siv Johanne Bjørkly Seglem / news Nail salon, spa, studio and hairdressing salon. It is something the young people at Lofsrud can do when they are at night school. For them it is also just a place where they can hang out and feel at home. – For me, it really just means being with friends and enjoying myself, says Mustafa. Lania says that they are keen not to discriminate between each other. The three young people believe that these activities contribute to this. – There are even some girls who have learned to cut fades, says Lania. – I have actually used the nail and hair salon to clean my nails, says Mustafa. They believe that open schools and young people who thrive can turn the reputation of Mortensrud around. – In any case, I believe that the offers contribute to our reputation becoming much better. At least when it is noticed. We who use the offers depend on the positive being noticed, says Lania.
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The students at Lofsrud school hope the reputation of Mortensrud will improve – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
