Halesowen College student Mahamat Allamine has received a Dudley Youth Award for overcoming the odds and succeeding in his studies. 

Mahamat studies ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) at College and is aiming to go to University to be a dentist. 

 The 17-year-old was nominated for his never-ending commitment to College, he came to Britain last Summer after a difficult journey to safety from his home country of Chad. 

 Since starting College he has been praised for his enthusiasm and work ethic and has 100% attendance. He won in the Contribution to School or Further Education category at the Dudley Youth Awards. 

Mahamat, from Kidderminster, said: “I was delighted to be nominated for this award and to win was incredible. 

 “I definitely plan to continue my studies and do as well as I can in the future.” 

Karylle Phillips, Post 16 Care Experience Coordinator at Halesowen College, said: “Congratulations to Mahamat for receiving this much deserved award. Despite his early traumatic experiences he has shown great resilience in moving here and doing so well in College.” 

 Monica Jellinek Toso, ESOL Lecturer at Halesowen College, added: “Mahamat has been a model student and he is so dedicated to doing well at College – he is a pleasure to teach.” 

Mahamat has also been volunteering at St Richard’s Hospice charity shop in Kidderminster since December 2022 and is really enjoying learning more about British culture.