Well I said I was going to tell you all about what I’m up to here. And I didn’t… Sorry! So here it is, finally!
One of the projects I am involved in here is the Oasis academy. I think I’ve talked a bit about it before on my blog. But to save you hunting through to find out about it, I’ll put it in here as well. The academy is a secondary school [for 11-16 year old students.] Oasis were given permission from the government to take over a number of failing schools throughout the country, hope high [now the Oasis Academy] being one of them. Now, with thee Christian influence, the school is doing well and the students are getting access to fantastic resources. I help with a year 7 [11 year olds] group. These students have some learning and behavioural difficulties and are not fully integrated into the mainstream life of the school. I’ve been involved in some cooking lessons [it's probably called food and nutrition sciences or something now!] I am also around during their “creative curriculum” lessons.” Mostly, I work with the girls in the class and will be starting some mentoring with them next week. It is true that these students can be challenging. But I have been so surprised at their reaction to me. One time, I was in the class with them and as soon as I walked in, 3 or 4 of them were saying “can she sit next to me.” They were so fantastic at showing me where to go and even gave up some of their break time to make sure I got to where I needed to be next. Their care and attentiveness towards me have really touched me. I have also discovered that these young people are craving encouragement and positivity. It’s strange to think that although they have so much in terms of play stations, TV’s, computers and the latest trainers, they are, in many ways, in the exact same position as the children in South Africa. These kid are so hungry for praise, so eager for positive attention. The teachers in the academy are doing an amazing job. But sitting down and working with 1 or 2 students, I have really noticed how much difference just being there can make. Simple things, like saying “you’re working so well” have such an impact. I’m really starting to realise that I don’t actually have to do something amazing to make a positive impact on these young people.
Last week, during half term, we ran a holiday club for the local primary school children. We organised craft sessions for them. It was a fantastic opportunity to get to know them on a more fun and informal level. We made pop up puppets, bat and balls and funky fridge magnets. It was really relaxed and chilled out. It was also a fantastic opportunity to build links with our local cafe, where we held the club.
Another of the projects we are involved in is the local youth group. To be honest, it felt like another world to me. I realised just how middle class i am! The life that these young people have is just totally alien to me. There have been so many evenings when young children, still in pushchairs have still been out at gone ten at night, even in the cold and rain. I found it so strange. Also so many of the young people have nothing to do. So they just hang around, drinking, smoking and kicking footballs around. And another scary thing I’ve noticed is that I have real trouble understanding what they are saying. They say something and I think “surely that was a foreign language.” Then a few seconds later it clicks that actually it was english! Hmmm, hopefully this will improve with more practise!
For all of you people who I haven’t been in contact with for ages, and for all of you who just wanted me to mention you on my blog, here it is! All my latest news…
Firstly, I want to praise God for his exceptional planning, timing, and the amazing way he just knows what will happen. From the girl who doesn’t usually know what she’s doing in the next five minutes, I potentially have the next two years of my life planned. Well… Sort of planned… From August 25, I will be joining the millions of citizens in the UK who’s hard earned money goes towards the government’s liking of chinese takeaways! Yes, I have a job!!
I will be the assistant chaplain of Southlands College, Roehampton University. I will be helping to lead and plan services and events in the chappel, as well as being there for the students and brining mor students into the chappel community! God’s hand was so definitely in it! The first job I ever apply for, and the first interview I attend, and I get the job. It’s amazing! I’m really excited to be going back there. The campus is so lovely and I feel such a sense of peace in the whole place. Praise God!
I had such an amazing week last week. Michael came to stay for a few days, and we went to visit some friends who I haven’t seen for ages. They really are such an inspirational couple. They have 2 chilren, both under 2.5 years. The guy is studying for a law degree and they live in the outskirts of Manchester. They are amazing parents. They inspire me so much because the mum is totally blind, and the Dad has limited sight as well. And yet, they are doing a fantastic job and bring up 2 wonderful little boys! I found myself realising that at some point, if I wanted a family of my own, that it would be possible. In fact, it would be more than possible! With God’s help, and the help and support of family and friends, the idea actually makes me smile now!
My family also came up for a couple of days. It was so lovely to see them. We went exploring Manchester. They brought the sun up with them too, so it was pure heaven to sit and defrost! On Thursday we went to a place about 1.5 hours drive away, where they have wild monkeys living in a beautiful forest. It was really nice there. ne monkey had a tiny 3 day old baby. They were all just chilling out in the trees, snoozing in the sun, eating or ambling around posing for photos! They were so cute!
The next few weeks here willbe really bus so it was so nice to spend time with family and Michael and catch up on all the stuff going on!
Hello and welcome back! After a shockingly long and unexplainable absense, here I am, finally back in the sunny world of my blog! And not that I want to encourage any of you… [You know who you are, Mum, Dad, Beth, Naomi, and everyone else who's told me to write 
] but thanks for all the pokes and prods!
So here I am, sitting in cropped trousers and a t shirt, with the sun shining outside, wondering if this really is Salford. Is this, I ask myself, really the same place where 2 weeks ago, I discovered that my trusted trainers, which withstood the dizzying heights of Table Mountain, are incapable of surviving a Salford downpour? Is this sun drenched corner of God’s beautiful world really the same place where I told my family to bring me up more jumpers and my walking boots last week? So anyway, here I am, topping up my tan and feeling much more at home in the sun!
So what’s been going on in the crazy and recently silent world of Nicolaland? It’s only now as I try and figure out in what order to put down all my updates that I again pledge to be better at blogging. I will try not to get this far behind again! Well I think that my news, along with the general goings on here in Salford deserve their own entries, which I will post now. But until then, I’ll leave you with this thought…
Isn’t it truly incredible that God has provided us with such a beautiful place to live, such inspirational and wonderful people to share it with, as well as giving us hope and excitement for an amazing eternity?