Young Enterprise Scheme

Frank's Crusade

The morning meeting was, as usual, following a format of the "make it
up as you go along" genre. Frank sat, arms folded, staring in a
superior manner, at the deputy head, as he read from the diary. A faint
smile played across Frank's mouth and eyes. The smile was intended to
convey the pretence of interest in the proceedings. It was also
intended to wind up the deputy. Frank knew from experience that it
worked. It did. Dave Thompson snapped the diary shut, firing a stern
look in Frank's direction, and coughed. There was one more item to
address. Heavy with sarcasm, Frank declared that he could not recall a
section in the staff handbook, which referred to other items, in the
morning meeting. Dave continued. There had been complaints from some of
the parents, that the school was not covering sufficient multi-cultural
aspects across the curriculum. Specifically, there was an objection to
the Lord's Prayer, being recited daily in assembly. From now on
assembly was to take the form of a non-denominational exercise in
giving information, and awarding certificates.

Frank was gobsmacked. Although not a devout Christian, he had been
brought up, by his strict, Lancastrian parents, to attend Sunday
school, throughout his childhood, and he resented the erosion of a part
of the school day, that had been a tradition since as long as Frank
could remember. Frank was fairly confident that he knew who was behind
the complaints. About 10 \% of the school population was Moslem. As a
rule, the Moslem pupils tended to be hard working, and respectful, and
Frank enjoyed teaching them. The parents of these pupils, worked quite
closely together, and as a result had been effective in recent years,
in bringing an influence to bear, through the school governors, and
regular contact with the head teacher. For Frank, this was a step too
far. Someone needed to make a stance for English traditions. Frank was
that man.

The plan was a simple one. Frank announced to his lunchtime cohort of
Young Enterprise Schemers, that this year's project would be to make
and sell rosary beads, and crucifixes, which could be sold outside
churches in the local vicinity on Sundays. He looked at Ahmed, a keen,
year 10 pupil, to detect any adverse reaction, but Ahmed enjoyed
technology, and was just happy to be involved. Next came the
masterstroke. Frank proposed Ahmed as Managing Director of the company,
and sat back, enabling Ahmed to direct the small scale crusade.

Two weeks later, three small groups of students stood for half an hour,
outside of three different churches, on the outskirts of Oldham,
offering their religious trinkets for sale, to the largely
disinterested parishioners. The cold was biting, and the indifference
of the clientele sapped morale. Frank was about ready to call time,
when he was approached by a young man in a green bomber jacket, coming
out of St. Richard's. It transpired that the man was a journalist, and
wanted to include a small section about the Scheme, in next month's
publication. He seemed particularly impressed with the part played by
the pupils in promoting their products, in an increasingly
non-Christian society. Frank shook his hand, and called the children
together to count the takings.

Three weeks later, Frank was called to the Head teacher's office.
Ahmed's father was present. He was drinking tea, and the secretary
informed Frank that he had been there for half an hour, and his voice
had only descended to reasonable decibel level for the last five
minutes. Disarm them with a smile, thought Frank. He bade a cheery
"good morning!", to Ahmed's father. "You call this a good morning?"
shouted Mr. Abdullah. He thrusted a newsletter in Frank's face. The
lead article, was a glowing account of the work of Frank's Young
Enterprise Scheme. Frank glimpsed the sub-heading "The official
publication of the BNP". The article finished with a snappy quote from
local teacher, Mr. Todd : "Our traditional way of life is being eroded,
but these kids are determined to do something about it". The newsletter
had been posted through the letterbox of one of Mr. Abdullah's
customers, and he had in turn, brought it to his attention. A diatribe
of abuse was launched in Frank's direction. When Mr. Abdullah ran out
of breath, Frank replied weakly that anyone could make mistakes, adding
that he didn't think Mr. Abdullah's attitude was very Christian. Mr.
Abdullah's eyes bulged.

Frank's proverbial bacon was saved, when the Head teacher summoned
Ahmed from class. Revelling in his role as M.D. of the company, he
explained how much he was enjoying the project, and expressed his
appreciation for the work that Mr. Todd was putting in on behalf of the
group. Furthermore, he added that involvement in the group, had enabled
him to widen his circle of friends, notably among some of the white
kids, with whom he didn't ordinarily mix outside of class. Frank was
vindicated. An interview followed with the Oldham Gazette, in which
Frank and Ahmed were commended for breaking down barriers, and easing
racial tension. The head teacher amended his submission to Ofsted, who
were due to inspect the school, shortly. He cited the article, and
claimed that respect for other cultures was a major strength of the
school.

An extraordinary thing happened. Ahmed's father, who ran a stall in the
market, placed an order for eight hundred crucifixes. He was very proud
of his son's new found fame. They sold very well among the Asian
community, many of whom came to view them as a symbol of harmony and
peace. The BNP ordered two thousand sets of rosary beads, keen to be
seen as upholding Christian tradition. Reverend Thorpe, of
St.Richard's, argued from the pulpit, that it was time for true,
upstanding citizens to reclaim the Christian symbols, as
representations of their faith. He ordered two hundred crucifixes, on
sale or return. All but thirteen were sold.

To shorten a long story, the Young Enterprise Scheme made just short of
three thousand pounds for the year, setting a new record for the North
West region. Ahmed was voted national Managing Director of the year.
Frank had the trust of the Asian parents. He managed to negotiate the
return of the Lord's prayer to assembly, with the provision that an
aspect of another culture would be explored each Wednesday morning. He
was asked to speak to the local association of Asian businessman. It
was here that Frank unadvisedly introduced his clever new concept for
next year's Young Enterprise Scheme : The Koran-gutan - a cuddly
monkey, which would recite the words of Mohammed, in response to
pulling a cord, which would protrude from his posterior. Pausing to
receive his applause, Frank could only conclude that the silence was a
mark of respect, from people of a culture that even he did not yet
fully comprehend.

Frank was able to reflect upon a highly successful end to the school
year. The only real black spot was a letter he had received from David
Lipschitz' father, insisting that the profits from the young enterprise
should be given to the parents of those taking part. Frank obtained the
permission of the Head teacher, and made a phone call, explaining to
Mr. Lipschitz that a decision had been made by the Young Enterprise
Board of Directors, to donate half the profits to local groups trying
to promote racial peace and harmony, and the other half to the
anti-Nazi league. Mr. Lipschitz sounded half-way placated. Frank felt
that his logic was getting through. "..it's like those Jews, in
Palastine?.", he continued.