Congratulation to Rebekah and Vaila winners of the Your Story Competition

The 24th November 2011, Everything is Possible staff came at the British Council London offices to support our two volunteers, Rebekah and Vaila, for the Your Story Prize Awards Event organised by the Bristish Council and Ecorys UK.

Rebekah and Vaila with Simon Williams,
Head EU Programmes, British Council.

Rebekah won second place and Vaila the third place in the Youth in Action essay category of the British Council and Ecorys 'Your Story' Competition.

All Everything is Possible staff are very proud of them.

You can read their poems clicking on their name:

Rebekah's Poem.

Vaila's Poem.

Or visit the official website of the competition : http://competition.lifelonglearningprogramme.org.uk/youth-in-action/index.php

Rebekah and Vaila at the Your Story Event



Poem of Vaila, other winner of 'Your Story' Competition

We are delighted as well to share with you the brillant poem of Vaila who won third place in the Youth in Action essay category of the British Council and Ecorys 'Your Story' Competition. Vaila will come as well to London tomorrow for the Prize Awards Event at the British Council London offices.  Everything is Possible staff will be there to support her.

Enjoy her poem as we enjoyed reading it.

BROADENING HORIZONS - MY YOUTH IN ACTION EXPERIENCE
by VAILA WHITTAKER

It started off with an idea; I started engineering

to go abroad to Italy- to do volunteering

A move that was bold

made at just 17 years old

It needed a spoonful of strength and spirit

But courage was the main culprit

You see back then I had these things

But I didn’t believe in me- no confidence,

low self-esteem this was my circumfluence.

I wanted something -which changed everything

I had belief in the idea

Yes there would be un po’ di nostalgia

But I really didn’t care.

So off I went to Italy

Era una bella esperienza per me 

I left all I knew friends and family

di lavorare con gli anziani.

I worked in a care-home in the entertainment sector

At first I was just an observator

Not knowing the lingo and all

It was like trying to walk before you can crawl

I chatted to the elderly everyday -

well mainly listened at first!

One  of the things about going away

is that I went into things head first

like throwing yourself into a storm

I learnt to grow as a person and became independent

And that was just the platform...

Not to give up when the going gets tough

On watch resident X escaped

I let him go with his friend- a bad influence

he went to the pub to drink

more than his daily allowance!

I learnt from this it didn’t get me down

Not to make snap judgements

And make-sure that first I get the low down

Life is full of accidents

But I see now mistakes as feedback

to improve and learn from for the next time

they’re apart of successful life- how else are you meant to learn?

I had made a rapid climb.

Over time I had a good relationship with the elderly

And I actually could understand them!

I read them newspapers everyday

And they tell me stories of memories of war and family

I’d play board games with them and paint and design

I made them smile and they made me shine.

An experience that no-one can take away

New friends, new country a fresh start

From the norm, everything and everyone, faraway

If asked again I would take part.

By Vaila Whittaker

Poem of Rebekah, one of the winner of 'Your Story' Competition

We are please to publish today the fantastic poem of Rebekah who won second place in the Youth in Action essay category of the British Council and Ecorys 'Your Story' Competition. Rebekah who is still volunteering in France (EVS supported by the Youth in Action Programme of the European Commission), will come to London tomorrow for the Prize Awards Event at the British Council London offices.  Everything is Possible staff will be there to support her. Rebekah writes every month some fantastic blogs: We published already some on Turn Up The VOLume.

Enjoy her poem as we enjoyed reading it.

BROADENING HORIZONS - MY YOUTH IN ACTION EXPERIENCE
by REBEKAH WARBURTON

There are experiences in life that come so rare

Suddenly appear, surprising you, drawing you in

"Youth in Action" had this exact effect

On my life it seems, stirring my choices deep within

A story of passion, excitement and daring

Growing as a person with an opportunity once in a million

No longer feeling the need to hide like a chameleon

Discovered by mistake I thought I must be dreaming

"Everything is Possible" in Leeds assured the contrary

With documents signed and mentally prepared

I left behind in the U.K. my life with everything known and safe

Sped into Lille in France in the spur of the moment

A change to my life to forever remember

But a project that will end in the month of December

From the first of June I was truly immersed

French life becoming habit, their customs ingrained

To queue in the shops and truly take turns?

I think not in France, to be at the front everyone yearns

Or to work hard through the day and party at night

I think so in this lively and buzzing country

Where soirées (evening gatherings at friend's houses)

Make each and every week welcoming and bright

Within the project I have grown and developed

Working with young people around the same age

Understand the implications of a town full of unemployment

Where all that a person wants is a simple wage

Between the ages of 18 and 30, struggling to get by

Until the European Voluntary Service, like it did for me

Gives them a reason to feel they can fly

Delivering English workshops to those who will depart

Giving them the confidence to get up and start

They, like me, will move to another country

So in the shortest of time I have developed the skill

To build up their confidence and for them to truly have the will

To speak English confidently with a smile on their face

And not to feel that the learning process is one big race

Despite this, butterflies fluttered the first time I stood

In front of a group with blank faces, lives misunderstood

To inspire them to learn when their studies had not found them jobs

Was a challenge for me, to evoke a response

Adapting techniques and developing resources

To teach English uniquely and individually so that they could relate

Not feeling as though at school, where your mind is governed by the state

The challenge from then on to keep moving forwards

Was to adapt to the needs of each volunteer individually

Establish the levels of understanding and ability to talk

To allow them to flourish in English and on their own two feet walk

Not worry about making mistakes in a world full of perfectionism

Where self expectation can force you to hide behind a mask

Instead helping them to realise they were worthy of this task

Furthermore than the English I have completed many tasks

Such as documents designed to prepare the volunteers in every way

With exercises such as evaluating the skills they already know

Through which to them their strong abilities I could show

Whilst at the same time developing my ability to organise

And assess that which is needed before such a life changing experience

So creative and stimulating tasks I have had to devise

Additionally I have created a document designed to promote

This wonderful service so that like it has helped me, it can aid

The future volunteers "La Mission Locale de Lille" will send abroad

Through photos, videos and testimonies of the volunteers on projects

The departing young people can also become promoters to a scheme full of promise

With the guidance on how to do this that I have written

The art of communication to spread the word and become smitten

Smitten is the word for my sentiments for this country and project

Having been swept off my feet in ways unimaginable

Now planning to stay and continue my personal development

I have began the search for jobs in the adventure of life never-ending

So for now I say thank you for this amazing opportunity "Youth in Action" has offered

Life changing in so many ways that words cannot describe

Moving in positive ways, onwards and upwards, to new horizons it is sending.

By Rebekah Warburton

Visit Rebekah's blog: http://bex-warburton.blogspot.com/ 

Volunteer Blog - Beth Tew (extract from the newsletter of our Peruvian partner SKIP)

"As I prepare for my departure from SKIP, aside from my checklist of practical things to do, I have to come to terms with leaving on an emotional level.

For the last eight months I've been living the SKIP experience. I'm still not quite ready to say goodbye to the volunteer house, or to being greeted each day at the office by excitable children. I know I'll miss chatting with the mothers about the products they've been knitting (current collection includes bags and bikinis!) and carrying out hose visits to see how our loans have been improving the living conditions of the families we work with....

Trujillo has a blend or ordinary and extraordinary. For me, a perfect mixture of routine and work, tasks to do, meetings to organise, everyday life, outings to bars, the cinema and theatre, British-esque weather. Yet enter the extraordinary, hear the increadible stories of the SKIP families, find yourself surfing in Huanchaco on weekends, or taking an 8 hour trip to Huaraz, the awe inspiring Andes mountain range.

The SKIP experience is quite apart from anything I've ever done before. It brings together so many dedicated individuals, working full time on the long term goal of improving the quality of life of participating Peruvian families. Having seen long and short term volunteers pass through the doors of our SKIP office, I can say that each one brings something valuable to the organisation; a new perspective, worldly experience or a spirit of fun to compliment the positive energy focussed on sustaining the project. SKIP is not about quick fixes. It's about building on relationships within the community and working together to plant the seeds, providing the support for steady and ongoing improvement. It's been fascinating to see how each individual fits into the SKIP family and even though I am sad to leave, I know I will continue to feel a part of it."

Beth in her project.

Beth volunteered with SKIP for almost 10 months using funding from the EU Youth In Action Programme. Click here to find out more about ways to fund your volunteer placement 

One little comment we wanted to make - Trujillo has 'British-esque' weather??!! We think you might have been away from England a little too long Beth - let us know if you still feel the same in February ;)

Leer el articulo de Beth Tew en castillano

SPANISH VERSION (Skip Website)

Beth Tew - Blog de voluntaria 

Sábado 12 de Noviembre de 2011 11:28 

Mientras preparo mi partida de SKIP, además de la lista de cosas por hacer, tengo que enfrentarme a las emociones que experimento por tener que marcharme.

He vivido los últimos ocho meses la experiencia SKIP. Todavía no estoy preparada para decirle adiós a la casa de los voluntarios, o al ser recibida cada día en la oficina por niños tan activos. Sé que extrañaré las charlas con las madres sobre los productos que han estado tejiendo (¡la colección actual incluye bolsos y bikinis!) y llevar a cabo las visitas a los hogares para ver como nuestros préstamos han mejorado las condiciones de vida de las familias con las que trabajamos… Trujillo ha sido una combinación de lo ordinario y lo extraordinario. Para mí, una mezcla perfecta de rutina y trabajo, tareas que hacer, reuniones que organizar, vida todo el tiempo, salir por bares, el cine y el teatro, la clima, poco como inglaterra. Y aún queda lo extraordinario, escuchar las historias increíbles de las familias de SKIP, encontrarse a uno mismo surfeando en Huanchaco los fines de semana, o realizando un viaje de ocho horas a Huaraz, la impresionante cordillera de los Andes.

La experiencia SKIP ha sido algo muy diferente de todo lo que había hecho antes. Reúne muchas personas entregadas, trabajando a tiempo completo por el objetivo a largo plazo de mejorar la calidad de vida de las familias peruanas que participan en el proyecto. Habiendo visto voluntarios por corta y larga estancia atravesar las puertas de la oficina de SKIP, puedo decir que cada una de ellos ofrece algo valioso a la organización: una perspectiva nueva, experiencias de mucho mundo, o un espíritu de alegría que complementa la energía positiva focalizada en la realización del proyecto a largo plazo. SKIP no se trata de acciones apresuradas, Se trata de construir relaciones dentro de la comunidad y trabajar conjuntamente para sembrar las semillas, proporcionando una estructura de apoyo para una mejora firme y en desarrollo. Ha sido fascinante poder observar como cada persona puede forma parte de la familia de SKIP y poder pensar, que aun estando triste por tener que partir, sé que seguiré sintiéndome parte de todo esto.

Project in a swedish youth cafe, by Rebecca short term EVS volunteer

"I am Rebecca. I come from Huddersfield and I went for a 2 months project in Sweden. During the project, I worked in a Youth Cafe serving teenagers, customers and helping out with the daily duties. I as well worked in various summer parks doing activities with the kids. I learnt to be a teamplayer more patient, understanding of others. Professionally, I learnt a basic new language. How to understand a new culture. My plans for the future is to get a job working with the public or kids (and to follow my dream of becoming a successfull singer and live life happy)."

Rebecca, short term EVS volunteer in Sweden.

Volunteering opportunity with children and adults by Aimee

It was fantastic!! It’s not every day you can say a person 3 times your age is fitter than you are. [...]

Words can’t describe how I feel now having taken part in this experience, however I do know I wouldn’t hesitate to do it all over again without changing a thing. I had the best time of my life and I will never forget it!!

Aimee

Aimee in one of the famous street of Lille.

Hi, my name is Aimee and I live in Leeds. I am 19 years old with a passion to discover the world. My first EVS project consisted of 3 weeks working with young people, teaching sports in Lille, France.

During my time in France the work I took part in was very tiring. There wasn’t a dull moment to say the least. Even with the language barrier the children weren’t scared to address me and i was comfortable teaching them. Teaching sports was amazing. It wasn’t just football or rugby, it was every kind of sport there is. I even got the opportunity to teach the children what i do in the UK which was twirl. Teaching them majorettes was a big accomplishment for me and i am so grateful I had the opportunity to do this. Along with teaching children I also had the privilege of working with adults. I took part in boxing and aerobics. Thinking it was going to be easy going due to the older ages of the ladies I had loads of enthusiasm. However when the sessions began I quickly changed my mind. After every session I was exhausted and the other ladies seemed to be enjoying themselves at my expense. I was intrigued at their stamina and found it humorous that I was crawling around the floor with no energy left. It was fantastic!! It’s not every day you can say a person 3 times your age is fitter than you are.

The people I met during my time in France were amazing. Everyone was very helpful and available to contact at any time if i needed help or advise. Especially at Adice, my receiving organisation. The staff were fantastic and easy to talk to. Also the people in the accommodation where i lived were the best people i have ever met. I have made some really good friends.

Now I have returned to the UK, I have no idea what i want to do next. It is in my intentions to take part in a longer EVS project but I also want a stable lifestyle here in Leeds. Perhaps a full time job and a new place to live on my own. Another thing I wouldn’t have the guts to do before my trip. Speaking of this I am due to move into my new home in 6 weeks so I am very excited and have this project to thank for it.

Before my project I was very shy, lacking self confidence and avoided confrontation as much as possible. Now, I am very confident in myself, I enjoy the company of new people and I am not afraid to be myself. My three weeks in France seemed like an eternity now but when I was there it went by so quickly. I have met some of the best people I will ever meet,  that come from all over the world. I knew before I took part in the project I had to find the courage to do something like this, although I didn’t think I would ever get the opportunity. If it wasn’t for Everything is Possible I don’t believe I ever would. Words can’t describe how I feel now having taken part in this experience, however I do know I wouldn’t hesitate to do it all over again without changing a thing. I had the best time of my life and I will never forget it!!

Aimee, Short Term Volunteer in France.
Project supported by the Youth in Action Programme of the European Commission.

Testimony from Heshi, Short Term EVS volunteer in Sweden

"Hey my name is Heshi. I went to Sweden for 2 months. On arrival, I was really excited and was wondering what to expect. When I found out I was quite amazed.

What I did: When I got there I did numerous activities such as working with teenagers at Blue Hill, doing music production Rapping and working in a youth cafe behing the tills.

Plans for the future: I am going to work for a bit then maybe next year I will do some more volunteer work."

Heshi, Short Term EVS volunteer in Sweden.

News from Paul, our volunteer in Jamaica.

Paul is one of our EVS volunteers in Jamaica. He left England in June to volunteer in a Primary School. Every week he is sending us up to date project news and writes his own blog: http://nogsjah.blogspot.com/ . Here is the one published on our last newsletter: 

Paul in his project.


The Mighty Gully yard is still and serene as the late afternoon sun filters through the thick canopy of fruit trees, with most of the wood carvers taking their one day off of the week. For once the children are quiet, too – I’ve set them a task of colouring pictures and writing Happy Birthday messages to send to my daughter, and they are all busy beavering away on one of the verandas. In all, five families live in the yard, with children aged from one through to mid-teens. There is also a sizeable collection of dogs, cats, goats and chickens milling about.

Last night I went to a Nine Night, the Jamaican equivalent of a Wake but held the night before a funeral, which was up at a beautiful big house on the road up to Marlie Mount Infant and Primary School. I was amazed at how many people were there, young and old, dancing to the live Gospel-cum- Reggae band and drinking the free bar dry. My friends told me it wasn’t huge for a Nine Night by any means.

Tomorrow I will be up at 5.30am again, boiling porridge and drinking tea under the ackee tree in the morning cool, getting ready for another week at Marlie Mount School. It promises to be busy – I have four PE classes a day to teach, a Cub Scout meeting to plan for on Friday, cricket training to organize and work to do on helping the school set up an adult learning programme for unemployed parents. There’s no sign of the searing summer temperatures easing off just yet despite it being mid-September and I reckon I’m going to need my rest while I can get it.

Coming here to volunteer is no holiday. Nor is it like any other trip I’ve ever been on - while tourists pass travel for entertainment, I will take something much more important from my time here – rather than just passing through, I feel like I’ve really lived here, I’ve adapted, I’ve learned, I’ve made friends, I’ve given my all, and will return home the better for it.

 

Paul, Volunteer in Jamaica

 

Project part of CREATIVE INCLUSION

and supported by EACEA

and the Youth in Action Programme

of the European Commission.

For more info about Creative Inclusion, visit the special webpage, clicking here.

This testimony is an extract from Everything is Possible Newsletter ''Journey''. For more news about Everything is Possible and testimonies click on the following banner:

Testimony from Adnan, Short Term Leonardo Trainee in Norway

Hi, my name is Adnan. I am 28 years old and unemployed. I have never been abroad before and I went to the Leonardo Project for two weeks. I did various tasks which included: milking the cows, tree cutting, bakery and hundreds of more!

I would recommend this experience to everyone and I would seriously consider living and working abroad.

Overall, it was an impeccable journey and an intriguing experience  that I think everyone should share and be part of. So come! What are you waiting for?!



Adnan, Short Term Leonardo Trainee in Sweden.

Project part of Gaining  Through Training

and supported by ECORYS UK

and the Lifelong Learning Programme
of the European Commission.

 

Jamie, Short Term EVS volunteer in Greece

"I come from England. I went to Greece for 1 month for a project. I did environmental work in the forest, keeping it clean and tidy. I learned a new culture and how different they live from England. I enjoyed it really well . It was a lot better than I thought. After I hope to do a long term in Tukey."

Jamie, Short Term EVS volunteer in Greece (ORFEAS).

Project part of INCLUSION FOR ALL

and supported by the British Council

and the Youth in Action programme

of the European Commission 

For more information about INCLUSION FOR ALL, visit the special webapge in clicking here.

 

''I have just returned from a month volunteering in Greece'' by Luke

"I am Luke and I have just returned from a month volunteering in Xylocastro in Greece. I am from a town called Hebden bridge in West Yorkshire. During the project, we did a lot of environmental work like litter picking and caring for a little trees. I feel that I have just learnt more about myself and what I want to do. I enjoyed the life of the Greek culture. After I want to do more EVS."

Luke, Short Term volunteer in Greece.

Project part of INCLUSION FOR ALL

and supported by the British Council

and the Youth in Action programme

of the European Commission 

For more information about INCLUSION FOR ALL, visit the special webapge in clicking here.

 

9th November 2011 : Everything is Possible informed around 150 people at the European Job Day in Manchester

The 9th November 2011, Everything is Possible was at the European Job Day in Manchester (event hosted by EURES UK). During this day, the team informed around 150 people about both the Youth in Action and Lifelong Learning Programmes and presented opportunities through the European Voluntary Service and Leonardo. At the end of the day around 65 persons filled a form to hear more about our projects.


In the previous European Job day event in Newcastle, Everything is Possible informed around 200 people about our international mobility programmes and some of the applicants are now in our projects.



Ash and Raphael were helped
by one of our short term volunteer
at the European Job Day in Manchester.



''My EVS project in Turkey'' by Adam (Bradford)

''During my time in Antalya i was working in a school with children aged between 8 - 15, a lot of the children could not speak very strong English so i had to be very patient with them and sometimes get one of the Turkish volunteers to help me with translation.''



"Hi my name is Adam im from Bradford and i recently took part in an EVS project in Turkey - Antalya. During my time in Antalya i was working in a school with children aged between 8 - 15, a lot of the children could not speak very strong English so i had to be very patient with them and sometimes get one of the Turkish volunteers to help me with translation.

A normal day at the school would look something like this:

8:30am - We would have P.E in the morning as it got to hot through the day, P.E would be either volleyball, Basketball, Foorball etc. In the class i would normally help around 15 or 20 children.

9:30am - After P.E we would have our first English lesson of the day. The English lessons would  consist of learning the English alphabet, days of the week, Months, numbers or sometimes the children would point at objects that they wanted to know the English words for.

After this there would be two more English lessons with children of different age ranges taking me up to 11:30am.

In the afternoon we would go to a small centre in a different part of Antalya, here children from an under privilaged background would come here we would teach English  they wanted to know, play games, draw or anything they wanted to do. This would take us upto 4pm and the end of out day with the children.

I really enjoyed working with the children in Turkey they were all cool and they also helped me with my Turkish speaking."

Adam, Short Term Volunteer.

Project part of INCLUSION FOR ALL

and supported by the British Council

and the Youth in Action programme

of the European Commission 

For more information about INCLUSION FOR ALL, visit the special webapge in clicking here.



''Extended Family'' by Alex, Long Term Volunteer in Gambia

Alex at the National Disaster Management Agency Head Office.

''So four weeks later much has happened, new family, new name, and new life. 
Having spent a week at the head office (NDMA) where not much was happening due to the abundance of volunteers and staff I offered my services for field work.  This was met with praise and I was immediately given a rotor where I would go from regional office to regional office spending 4 days at each, ensuring that I could still participate in my mandinka lessons.

My first region was KMC (Kanifing Municipal Council), although this covers a small area it looks after many people and is often badly affected by the flash floods.  The team here is much smaller than at the head office as is the office but I like it, there is still air conditioning and internet access although the power situation is more temperamental.  Although the surrounding area is lovely and quaint; the journey from Westfield to the office is eventful, constantly getting bombarded by taxi drivers wanting to take me to Banjul “I give you very good price”, “Well in that case then sure I will go, oh wait no I won’t”; they really need to work on their selling technique.  The easiest reply is simply I am going to KMC and they leave you alone, some don’t even say goodbye.  The field work is interesting I refrain from using the word fun because many people’s lives and possessions have been ruined.  I saw homes which were lucky to be standing and could collapse any moment on their occupants who are living outside of them, and many homes had simply collapsed or showed the remains of stagnant water which had been left standing waiting to be evaporated as there is nowhere for the water to go.  Other problems include the mass dumping of waste within 10 meters of people’s homes, and within the sewage system meaning that pollution is a major problem both in blocking water ways entering the river, and the thick toxic smells which lie there rotting in the local’s mouths.  As part of the field visits I got to communicate with the local people and get there point of view and ideas about what is happening and what should be done to prevent further damage.  This was very insightful, as many of the ideas were actually useful and could potentially help, although to implement the ideas would take some careful thinking so as not to waste precious time and money.  Overall the people seemed happy with what help they were receiving and the life style was vastly different to what I experience living in Senegambia, it looked smelt and painted  the perfect picture of a stereotypical idea of African village life.  This experience allowed me to write my own report on the situation based on what impact last years help has had on this years floods and what further help is required; I added some of my own personal ideas which may or may not be taken on board due to costs, although some of them I believe are very cost effective and would be hugely beneficial if they were to be implemented.



Alex coaching the football team.

My second regional experience was at Banjul the sleepy capital city, summed up by the fact that on my first day nothing happened; I simply sat in the office (a small apartment on the 2nd floor of a block of flats) and met the solitary other staff member who was chilled and we just relaxed.  The excitement started when Sisawo called me to say that he had set me up with a football team “Soul Samba FC” and I was to meet them later on that day, I also found out that 3 other volunteers who I had met once briefly at a meeting for the Ghana experience who had unfortunately been forced to move due to “safety” although it sounded like their hosting organization was a sham and maybe the main cause for why they came over.  Either way myself and Leah were delighted to get some company and add to our experience, “new friends”. 

Extract of Alex's Blog. Alex is a Long Term EVS volunteer in The Gambia.

Alex with other volunteers at his name ceremony (cf. his blog)

Project part of CREATIVE INCLUSION

and supported by EACEA

and the Youth in Action Programme

of the European Commission.

For more info about Creative Inclusion, visit the special webpage, clicking here.

For more information about Alex, visit his blog: http://gambiaevs.blogspot.com/