A real leader: Eliza Rebeiro
Congratulations are due to South Croydon’s Eliza Rebeiro, who this week has had her work with the Lives Not Knives campaign recognised as an outstanding winner in national volunteering awards.
Rebeiro was named as the winner by Vinspired, the national volunteering organisation, in its Bringing Communities Together category at a ceremony at the Roundhouse in Camden.
“All 18 of our finalists have been nominated to be recognised for their commitment to volunteering and passion for their cause, making them just a few of the most inspiring individuals we’ve had the pleasure to meet,” the organisers said.
Rebeiro, now 19, was excluded from mainstream education six years ago. When, in quick succession, two of her friends were victims of stabbings, she realised this was not the life she wanted for herself or the young people around her, and at age 14, she set up Lives Not Knives.
The project aims to prevent gang-related violence in Croydon by running road shows in more than 60 primary and secondary schools. The project has now expanded into Bromley. Rebeiro manages 20 mentors who are trained in listening skills, confronting conflict, sexual awareness, mentoring and befriending.
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