This morning we went over to the North Belfast Area Project center to meet our counterparts on the Belfast team, students enrolled in the NBAP's YWIC (Youth Working In their Communities) leadership development program. This is a 2-year program available to students after they're 15 in preparation for working with youth in the future. Along with other responsibilities throughout the year, the students help facilitate SkyCamp (for 11-14yrs) and have the opportunity to apply for cross-cultural learning experiences... like our exchange to Detroit.
Orientation this morning was largely geared towards getting to know one another, and getting to know the program for the week. We focused a lot on SkyCamp, what our responsibilities and contributions would be, and helped to plan some of the events for students. We're excited for next week already! But also glad we have another day or two yet to rest up and prepare for a week of camp :)
The evening was spent out with the full group, eating local fare; some had fish and chips, others had curries or the lucky ones (ahem, me) had beef or chicken pies... but hey, I'm biased. We went for coffee and dessert afterwards and had a great time learning about the students schooling, their hobbies, sharing stories of our favorite pastimes, and our jobs. After our return to the hostel we had a great wrap up conversation and then some went straight to bed ahead of a big day tomorrow - we'll be learning more about the local culture and history, beginning with a morning tour of a museum focused on the Troubles.
Tomorrow you'll be hearing from one of the students - not sure which one yet, but I told them this is my last solo post for awhile :) For now, here's a photo of one of the murals mentioned in yesterday's post - it was one that stuck out the most to the group. Photo credit goes to Lauren on this one... goodnight all.
No comments:
Post a Comment