Hi all,
First I just wanted to say a massive thank you for your comments, they are so encouraging. I got them printed out and they are stuck on my wall.
So an update of what is happening at the moment; I’ve completed the first term of college, passing all my assignments with distinctions and merits! I get a bursary from college, most of which goes on travel but I have been saving some of it each week since September and managed to save up enough to buy myself a basic laptop. It is a massive help when doing college work and also I feel a real achievement. I’ve never saved up and bought something before.
I’ve also been given a great opportunity to attend an international youth programme. The workers at YMCA put me forward for it. There are 20 of us on the course from different YMCA’s all over the world and we had our first week of training in October, at YMCA Fairthorne Manor. I was pretty nervous! I thought I would gain some stuff from it, but I didn’t expect it to be as amazing as it was. We learnt all about YMCA, the history of it, how massive it is and how many people it helps and supports. It’s completely opened my eyes and mind to the work YMCA does and how accepting they are of everybody.
We also learnt about youth work, the ethics of it and all the paperwork. There’s so much you don’t realise youth workers have to do. It gave me a new found respect for the support workers I have, and has also inspired me to volunteer at our local youth club.
I also made some amazing friends; we have a Facebook group and keep in contact with each other regularly. We are heading to Northern Ireland for our next week of training in February and then Kosovo in May for another week. With the support of my YMCA I have been able to apply for a passport. I have always wanted to see the world, I can’t quite believe I am going to Northern Ireland and Kosovo! I’m just so grateful.
Once again, thank you for your comments and support, they mean so much to me.
I will be in touch again soon!
Mark