Luljeta Nuzi, founder director of Shpresa

Devasted that Luljeta Nuzi has died after a long fight with cancer. An incredible, dynamic, fierce woman whose optimism and passion for equality for all, in education, as women, as members of refugee and global majority communities will remain an inspiration for those who met her.

I first met Luljeta in 2009 when she came to ContinYou to present Shpresa Programme’s supplementary education provision. The partnerships Shpresa built with mainstream schools were extraordinary. Always respectful and rigorous in maintaining good relationships with councillors, MPs and school leadership teams; Luljeta secured the collaborative partnerships every community group desires but rarely achieves.  She was so generous in sharing her methods and ideas with others. An inspiration for many. Although few had her energy, she made it seem possible that true respect could exist between educationalists from the statutory and the community sector.

A real friend to me as we established NRCSE as an independent charity she even found time to sit on the NRCSE board of trustees and helped shaped the Quality Mark for Supplementary Education as a member of the national advisory group (below) made up of some of the very best supplementary schools in England.

Her vision to bring all Newham’s community-led projects forwards with Shpresa helped small groups grow and provide opportunities for joy, pride in culture and mother tongue and growth for young people. Her delight in the achievement of others was truly magical.

Luljeta was a role model for cultural pride and integration. No need to hide culture or forget mother tongue when aspiring to academic success in English: she showed young people they could be themselves and be the best.

All the staff at NRCSE join me to send condolences to her family, colleagues and friends and to remember her generosity in helping other groups. Angela Bell recalls ‘Her truly inclusive way of making sure everyone in the room had their voice heard, putting everyone’s ideas up on the wall for all to see. Absolutely empowering.’ Mojgan Solmani remembers her first meeting with Luljeta, wondering how one person could manage a large family alongside numerous charitable organisations and refugee communities – all at a professional level. Deeply impressed by all that energy and positivity’.

Her legacy lives on in all those she has touched; in all the young people she supported, now leaders themselves.

Rest in peace and rise in power Luli

Pascale