"Community is where everybody is family"

One thing I really love about families is when they get together to have a family celebration and everybody's there. It's just a good feeling. You're going upstairs and playing on the computer with all your cousins. That's what I like, because that's fun.

Me and Africa
My cousins are older than me and I know if I ever got in trouble, they would stick up for me. Two years ago, I went to Africa and learnt a lot about my other family. I met an uncle who was only about five years older than me. I was thinking he was my little mate, but he wasn't, he was my uncle as well. I never called him uncle; he was my close, close friend. I would love to go there again, but I haven't had the chance.

If I fall out with my mum, my auntie sorts it out. She says, 'what have you done?', and asks if it is my fault. Then she tells me how my mum must have felt and I feel sorry for her and make up. My auntie and my uncle have always been there for me.

Eddie, Denzil and positive roles
I look up to Eddie Murphy because he's such a good actor, but what really gets on my nerves is that he doesn't get greater recognition here. Denzil Washington is really good too because he tries to take positive roles. It's my dream to go to Hollywood and be in a big, big film - bigger than Men in Black.

Looking to the future, I think I'll be okay. Most important is my health. Number two is family. Number three is my finances. Number four is work and number five is a good will to life. I will try and achieve the best I can.

Marvyn Benoit, aged 12, attends St Thomas More Secondary School in Palmers Green, north London. He says he tries hard with his school work and takes a positive attitude to life. A computer and sport buff, he enjoys playing tennis, cricket and basketball,and going to the theatre. He belongs to an after school community project called Children's Express, a training programme for aspiring young journalists.