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!