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Feature Item:
‘Life can change with just a word’
Friday, 08 July 2011
By Lindsay Burns
JEAN-Pierre Kouakou knows how lonely it can be to live in a foreign country where you can’t speak the language and the culture is unfamiliar.
That’s why, when the French speaker moved to London 12 years ago, he set up La Pierre Angulaire – a society for French-speaking people.
La Pierre Angulaire means “cornerstone”. Mr Kouakou, who lives in West Norwood with his wife Albertine and children Arielle, nine, and Nathaniel, five, encourages the 150 members from nine nations to volunteer in the community.
The society also supports an orphanage for children in his native country, the war-torn Ivory Coast in West Africa, and educational excursions to learn about British culture, language and history.
Mr Kouakou has been nominated for an Our Heroes Award for his efforts, as part of this paper’s campaign to highlight the achievements of South Londoners. The civil servant said: “Most of the time when you come from another country and don’t speak the language, it’s quite lonesome – you want someone to talk to.
“My first instinct was to speak to people who knew my language but you need to know other people, to fit in properly. “You need to know your rights and how to do the right thing – to really contribute to society.”
Mr Kouakou, who grew up in southern France, said society members love getting involved in voluntary work, whether running Christmas parties for kids or visiting people in hospital.
He said: “We want migrants to engage with people. To speak to people, learn from them and to understand, if they are quiet is it because they are reserved or they have something to hide?
“In hospitals we say to patients, ‘How are you feeling?’ so they know they’re not alone.
“I used to be shy, but then I realised how important it was to try to speak to people.
“Just one word someone tells you can change your life.”
La Pierre Angulaire meets in Virgo Fidelis Church, Central Hill, Upper Norwood.
Copyright Tindle Newspapers Ltd Saturday, 25 May 2013
Other Our Heroes Awards 2011:
Ex-Heroes reveal Junction wish list - Tuesday, 01/Nov/2011
Proving kids can be good citizens - Tuesday, 11/Oct/2011
We keep on caring when state stops - Friday, 30/Sep/2011
Friends to ‘needy’ - Wednesday, 28/Sep/2011
Actor’s dedication to common touch - Friday, 23/Sep/2011
Shakespeare actor has common touch - Wednesday, 21/Sep/2011
‘I know my son will become blind’ - Friday, 16/Sep/2011
Son’s illness inspires mum - Wednesday, 14/Sep/2011
A taste of success for prison officer - Tuesday, 13/Sep/2011
Nine-year-old raises £200k for park - Friday, 09/Sep/2011
Denise helps teens patch up their lives - Tuesday, 06/Sep/2011
From pop charts to criminology... - Friday, 02/Sep/2011
‘Extra mile? Dave goes the extra continent - Wednesday, 31/Aug/2011
Headbutt couldn’t stop me in riot role - Friday, 26/Aug/2011
I tried to make a difference... - Tuesday, 23/Aug/2011
‘Creative kids less likely to turn against society’ - Friday, 19/Aug/2011
‘Whirlwind’ rugby fan trains Tigers - Tuesday, 16/Aug/2011
Grandad’s quest to help kids walk for first time - Wednesday, 10/Aug/2011
‘I want people to have hope’ - Friday, 05/Aug/2011
‘I just can’t stop my fundraising’ - Tuesday, 02/Aug/2011
A real kick from football training - Friday, 29/Jul/2011
Lifesaver: It was nothing special - Tuesday, 26/Jul/2011
Keey site to keep kids out of trouble - Friday, 22/Jul/2011
Rapping teacher is role model for kids - Tuesday, 19/Jul/2011
Advice on gardening from the grown-ups - Friday, 15/Jul/2011
If I help one person, it’ll be worthwhile - Tuesday, 12/Jul/2011
‘Life can change with just a word’ - Friday, 08/Jul/2011
Getting to art of the matter - Wednesday, 06/Jul/2011
Art of the matter - Tuesday, 05/Jul/2011
‘John has given voice to people at the bottom’ - Wednesday, 29/Jun/2011
Martial arts man fighting for peace - Tuesday, 28/Jun/2011
Mr Grass Roots in the running for Our Heroes award - Friday, 24/Jun/2011
‘I love looking after children’ - Tuesday, 21/Jun/2011
‘Always trying to make us laugh...’ - Friday, 17/Jun/2011
Dynamic duo’s battling spirit - Thursday, 16/Jun/2011
‘I lifted him like sumo wrestler’ - Friday, 03/Jun/2011
Prime Minister helps launch the hunt for South London's unsung heroes - Friday, 27/May/2011
Sir Ray Tindle
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