Ok, so you may be wondering why I have this little corner of the web to write my randomness on? Well it’s because I have the honour and privilege to spend the next eleven months volunteering with a charity called Oasis UK. They are a christian based charity, who work in a number of countries across the world, including england, South Africa, Uganda, Brazil and India.
Oasis believe that all people are unique, and have been made in the image of a god who loves them unconditionally. They do not believe in going into communities, handing out money and bibles, then leaving again. Instead, the staff and volunteers aim to equip communities with sustainable skills, so they are able to continue with the projects without help.
For the first part of my time with Oasis, I will be based in Johannesburg, South Africa. There is a team of five volunteers, who will spend just over five months working with the staff on the Oasis South Africa projects. These projects cover a range of different areas, which aim to help and support the community.
I will be helping out in an HIV and AIDS centre, doing activities with the patients there. These could be crafts, music, cooking, or simply talking to the residents.
I will also have the chance to work with school leavers and adults on skills for life programs. These aim to improve skills such as maths and IT to ensure people can get better jobs or qualifications.
Although school facilities in Johannesburg are satisfactory, there is little in the way of after school clubs, or extra corricular activities for the children. Therefore, another of the Oasis South Africa projects is to work with schools and children, running clubs or lessons.
Some of the staff run a community health care program. This involves going round to people’s homes, teaching them about basic health and well being. When helping with this projects, one of our tasks is to set up workshops for families, which cover issues like child abuse and healthy eating.
One of the main social issues in South Africa is the divide between white and black South Africans. Oasis aims to help with this problem by offering Zulu lessons, to try and integrate the two communities further.
After I have spent my time in Johannesburg, I will return to England in March to work in Salford, Manchester. Here, the team work closely with a church and primary school, as well as other community projects. These include mentoring young people through their education to try to prevent them getting involved with street gangs and crime.
As the church is in it’s early stages of development, the team aim to bring more people in, in order that the church grows and develops.
I am really looking forward to sharing the next year of my life working alongside some of the most dedicated and caring people I will ever meet. I am also very excited about meeting new people, hearing their stories and learning from them. I have this amazing opportunity to spread a little of God’s awesome love with people who may not realise how precious they are. My dream is to try and help at least one person experience the overwhelming feeling of love, security and peace which I myself am blessed enough to experience.
I can only do this with God’s help and strength.
Dear Nicola, This feels really weird to me, like a one sided phone call, with the possibility of high percentage of the world being able to listen in but I do think it is a really good idea and will help to keep my son sane thru the next few months. Michael has told me that most people in their first chat have just been nice but now he says I can not just keep quoting him. As he is going to edit/censor/ and or add stuff I might as well keep this light and chatty. However if you would like some juicy gossip or the whole truth about the dreadful things he’s done just let me know.
Anyway, (serious bit) I hope you know how proud we are of you and how much we are looking forward to hearing about all the amazing adventures you are going to have and all the prayers that are answered.
So, I hope you have an easy journey and that you feel ‘at home’ quickly. It is good to know that God has gone on ahead and prepared the way. I am sure Mr Burg will be glad to be back in the southern hemisphere.
With much love, Ros
P.S. If there is no mention above about bananas, dandruff or a propelling pencil let me know as this may have been Michaelcensored.
Comment by Ros Sharkey — 1 October, 2008 @ 10:12 pm
Well you and the rest of the adventurers have finally arrived and will soon be getting down to the task of helping others less fortunate. You have all taken the fist big step by getting on the plane. The rest as they say is a walk in the park so God Bless and we all hope you have a wonderful and fulfilling adventure.Don’t forget the presents as the day you come back is Mothering Sunday.
On second thoughts the best presents will probably be seeing you all.
Comment by Phil Coulthard — 7 October, 2008 @ 1:47 pm
Hi Nicola
Hope your well in Jo Berg, and pleased your following in my footsteps of playing with baby lions. Well ok I only ever played with one real one. The wild fierce and always laughing one (Trish) still mutters the odd f word or is it every other word is an f one. Anyway she is well and still manages to beat me around the head when i behave. But hey its Harleys second birthday this week, where did those years go. We will send you his love as in try family tradition dont worry about the card. Royal mail really do have something to answer for when it comes to cards traveling in any southern direction.
Grandma has been in touch, and as you know thinks of you often and prays for you regularly. Hope its still going well.
Be good have fun and remember the laughter as it rings out all around us here in Essex.
Doug and Trish.
Comment by Doug and Trish — 19 October, 2008 @ 10:18 pm